THE 

COMPLETE 
HOME 







Class _T)( n5 
Bnok_ ■ L3 



Coi]yri^lrtN°_ 



COPVRIGHT Dtposrr 



rhe COMPLETE HOME 



The COMPLETE 
HOME ^ * 



EDITED BY 
CLARA E. LAUGHLIN 




D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 
NEW YORK 

i9or 



LIBHARYo) CONGRESS 
Two Ceclt! Received 

NOV If) 1906 

cuss A XXcf, No, 
^ COPY B. ^' 



CopVRioHT, 1006, nv 
D. APPLETON AND COMPAjrT 



Publisltcd November, 1006 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 

CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 

By Oliver R. Williamson 

PAGE 

Taste and expedience — ^Responsibilities — Renting, buying or 
building — Location — City or country — Renunciations — 
Schools and churches — Transportation — The butcher, the 
baker, and the candlestick maker — The home acre — 
Comparative cost in renting — ^The location sense — Size of 
lot — Position — Outlook and inlook — ^Trees — Income and 
expenditure — Style — Size — Plans for building — Necessary 
rooms — ^The sick room — Room to entertain — ^The "living 
room" — ^The dining room and kitchen — The sleeping 
rooms — ^Thinking it out 1-28 

CHAPTER II 

FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 
By Oliver R. Williamson 
The necessity of good floors — Material and cost of laying — 
Ornamental flooring — ^Waxed, varnished, and oiled floors 
— Carpets, linoleum, and mats — ^The stairway — Rugs — 
Oriental rugs — Kitchen and upper floors — Matting and 
cardoman cloth — Uses of the decorator — Wood in decora- 
tion — ^Panels and plaster — The beamed ceiling — Paint, 
paper, and calcimine — Shades and curtains — Leaded 
panes and casements — Storm windows .... 29-51 

V 



vi CON'll.NrS 

CHAlTi;!; Ill 
LlOnriNO AND HICATINO 

By OUVEIl U. WlIXIAMHON 

PAOB 

Necessity of sunliKht — Kcrosf-nc — Tttis and matches — Electric 
li^ht — PlcjusinR arrangement — Adaptability — Protection — 
HcKuIat<?d light — The two sure ways of heating — The hot- 
air furnace — Direction of heat — Regist^^rs — Hot water and 
steam heat — Indirect heating — Summary . . 52-70 

CHAPTER IV 

FURNITURE 
By Olh'er R. Williamson 
The quest of the beautiful — Ancient designs — The Arts and 
Crafts — Mission furniture — Comfort, aesthetic and jjliys- 
ical — Older models in furniture — Mahogany and oak — Sul>- 
stantiality — Superfluity — Hall furniture — The family chairs 
— The tabic — The davenport — Bookcases — Sundries — Wil- 
low furniture — The dining table — Discrirmnation in choice 

71-90 

CHAPTER V 

HOUSEHOLD LIXEN 
By Sarab Cory Rippet 
Linen, past and present — Bleached and "half-bleached" — 
Damask — Quality — Design — Price and size — Necessary • 
supply — Plain, hemstitched, or drawn — Doilies and table 
dressing — Centerpieces — Monograms — Care of table linen 
— How to launder — Table pads — Ready-made bed linen — 
Price and quality — Real linen — Suggestions about towels 

91-111 
CHAPTER VI 

THE KITCHEN 
By Sarah Oory Rippey 
The plan — Location and finish — The floor — The windows — The 
sink — The pantry — Insects and their extermination — The 



CONTENTS vii 

PAGE 

refrigerator and its care — Furnishing the kitchen — ^The 
stove — The table and its care — The chairs — The kitchen 
cabinet — Kitchen utensils 112-136 

CHAPTER VII 

THE LAUNDRY 
By Sarah Cory Rippey 
Laundry requisites — ^The stove and furnishings — ^Irons and 
holders — Preparing the "wash" — Removing stains — 
Soaking and washing — Washing powders and soap — Wash- 
ing woolens — Washing the white clothes — Starch — 
Colored clothes — Stockings — Dainty laundering — How to 
wash silk — Washing blankets — ^Washing curtains — Tidying 
up and sprinkling — Care of irons — How to iron . . 137-159 

CHAPTER VIII 
TABLE FURNISHINGS 
By Sarah Cory Rippey 
Dining-room cheer — Stocking the china-cupboard — The 
groundwork — Course sets — Odd pieces — Silver and plate — • 
Glass — Arrangement — Duties of the waitress — The break- 
fast table — Luncheon — Dinner — The formal dinner — The 
formal luncheon — Washing glass — ^Washing and cleaning sil- 
ver — How to wash china — Care of knives . . . 160-182 

CHAPTER IX 

THE BEDROOM 
By Sarah Cory Rippey 
Light and air — Carpets versus rugs — Mattings — Wall cover- 
ing — Bedroom woodwork — Bedroom draperies — Bedroom 
furnishing — Careful selection — ^Toilet and dressing tables 
— Further comforts — ^The bedstead — Spring, mattress, and 
pillows — Bed decoration — Simplicity — Care of bedroom 
and bed — Vermin and their extermination . . . 183-207 



viii CON'ri-ATS 

(HAITKH X 

TlIK HATH UOOM 

Ity Ol.IVEIl It Wll.I.IAMHOM 

PAfiE 

PlumbinR — Hath room Inratioii :iii<l furnishiriK — The tuh — 
The l;ivator>' — The cIos«'t — Hot water and how to (l^ci it — 
Hath room fittings . 20&-'223 

cnArTF:R xi 

CELLAK, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 
By Sarah Cory Rippet 
The cellar floor — Ventilation — The partitioned cellar — Order 
in the cellar — Shelves and closets — The attic — Order and 
care of attic — Closets — ^The linen closet — Clothes closets — 
The china closet — Closet tightness — Closet furnishings — 
Care of closets and contents 224-243 

CHAPTER XII 
HANGINGS, BRIC-A-BRAC, BOOKS, AND PICTURES 
By Sarah Cory Rippey 
The charm of drapery — Curtains — Portieres — Bric-a-brac — 
The growth of good taste — Usefulness with beauty — Con- 
siderations in buying — Books — ^Their selection — Sets — 
Binding — Paper — Pictures — Art sense — ^The influence of 
pictures — (;)il paintings — Engravings and photographs — 
Suitability of subjects — Hanging of pictures . . 244-268 

CHAPTER XIII 

THE NICE MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 

By Sajiab Cory Rippky 

Monday — Tuesday — Wednesday — Thursday — Friday — 

vSaturday — House cleaning — Preparation — Cleaning ilrap- 

eries, rugs, caipets — Cleaning mattings and woodwork — 

Cleaning beds 269-291 



CONTENTS ix 

CHAPTER XIV 

HIRED HELP 
By Sarah Cory Rippkt 

PAGE 

The general housemaid — How to select a maid — Questions and 
answers — Agreements— The maid's leisure time — Dress 
and personal neatness — Carelessness — The maid's room — 
How to train a maid — The daily routine — Duties of cook 
and nurse — Servant's company 292-313 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



FACING 
PAGE 



A $3,400 House Frontispiece - 

A Unique Arrangement of the Porch 16 

A Homelike Living Room 24 ^ 

An Attractive and Inexpensive Hall 32 

An Artistic Staircase Hall 36 

An Oriental Rug of Good Design : Shirvan .... 40 

Good Examples of Chippendale and Old Walnut . , . 74 ' 

A Chippendale Secretary 78' 

The Dining Room 88 

The Kitchen 114 " 

The Laundry 138 / 

Wedgwood Pottery, and Silver of Antique Design . . . 166 
A Collection of Eighteenth-century Cut Glass . . . .170 

The Bedroom 194 

The Bathroom 212 - 

The Drawing-room 254 /• 

xi 



THE COMPLETE HOME 



CHAPTER I 

CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 

BLESSED indeed are they who are free to 
choose where and how they shall live. Still 
more blessed are they who give abundant 
thought to their choice, for they may not wear the 
sackcloth of discomfort nor scatter the ashes of 
burned money. 

TASTE AND EXPEDIENCE 

Most of us have a theory of what the home 
should be, but it is stowed away with the wedding 
gifts of fine linen that are cherished for our perma- 
nent abode. We believe in harmony of surround- 
ings, but after living, within a period of ten years 
or so, in seven different apartments with seven 
different arrangements of rooms and seven differ- 
ent schemes of decoration, we lose interest in suit- 
ing one thing to another. Harmony comes to mean 

1 



8 'I'm: co.Mri.i/ri: iio.mi: 

simply ,i;()()(l terms witli tlic .j.'niit(»i\ ( )r if (])oincj 
beginners) we have some sueli prospect of nomadic 
living lacing us, and we are at all knowing, we 
realize the utter helplessness of demonstrating our 
good taste, ])urchase any bits of furniture that a 
vagrant fancy may fasten upon, and give space to 
wliatever gimcracks our friends may foist upon us, 
trusting tliat in tlie whirligig of removals the plush 
rocker, the mission table, and the brass parlor 
stand may each find itself in harmony with some- 
thing else at one time or another. Some day we 
shall l:>e freed from the tyranny of these conditions, 
and then ! 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

But when the time comes to declare our inde- 
pendence of landlord and janitor, or at least to 
exchange existence in a flat for life in a rented 
cottage, we find that freedom brings some perplex- 
ing responsibilities as well as its blessings. Even 
if our hopes do not soar higher than the rented 
house, there is at least the desire for a reasonable 
permanency, and we have no longer the excuse of 
custom-bred transitoriness to plead for our lack 
of plan. Where the home is to be purchased for 
our very own the test of our individuality becomes 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 3 

more exacting. A house has character, and some 
of the standards that apply to companionship ap- 
ply to it. In fact, we live with it, as well as in it. 
And if we have a saving conscience as to the im- 
measurability of home by money standards we are 
not to be tempted by the veriest bargain of a house 
that does not nearly represent our ideals. To 
blunder here is to topple over our whole Castle of 
Hope. 

RENTING, BUYING OR BUILDING 

But the test is most severe of all when good 
fortune permits us to choose locality, site, and 
building plans, and to finish and furnish the house 
to suit our tastes, even though less in accordance 
with our full desires than with our modest means. 
Now we may bring out our theory of living from 
its snug resting place. It will need some furbish- 
ing up, maybe, to meet modern conditions, but 
never mind! 

Whether we mean to rent, to buy, or to build, 
the problem of where and what and how is before 
us. As folk of wholesome desires, we insist first 
of all upon good taste, comfort, and healthfulness 
in our habitats ; and since we may agree upon the 
best way to attain these essentials without ignor- 



4 nil. I D.Mi'i.i.i 1. iiD.Mi: 

inp onr porsonal itrofon-nfofi In dotiiils, we may 
ItroliUiMy take counsel together as to what the Dew 
borne should Ik?. 

LOCATION 

Tliouplit of a location sliould lx»pin with the 
liirth of the home idea, even if the purchase-money 
l)e not immediately avaihihh', "We should not only 
take suflicient time to study conditions and scheme 
carefully for tlie home, but must sagaciously bear 
in mind that where real estate is in active demand 
anxiety to purchase stiffens jirices. T<i hide one's 
time may mean a considerable saving. Uowever, 
life, as we plan now to live it, is short enougli at 
most, and we should not cheat ourselves out of 
too much immediate hajipiness by waiting for the 
money-saving opportunity. 

The question of neighborhood, if we decide to 
remain within city limits, is a difficult one.- In 
most of the larger i»laces no one can accurately 
foretell the future of even the most attractive resi- 
dence district. Factories and business houses may 
not obtrude, but flats are almost sure to come. Few 
cottages are being constructed in cities, partly be- 
cause of lack of demand, but ])rinci pally because 
tliey do not pay sufficient income on the investment. 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 5 

Consequently the houses that are to be had are 
seldom modern. Sometimes they pass into the 
hands of careless tenants and the neighborhood 
soon shows deterioration. Still, if we are deter- 
mined to remain in the city and take our chances, 
it is possible by careful investigation to discover 
congenial surroundings. Many of the essential 
tests of the suburban home that we shall discuss 
hereafter will apply also to the house in a strictly 
residence district of a large city; practically all of 
them to the house in a smaller town. 

CITY OR COUNTRY 

The chances are, however, that we shall choose 
the suburb. But before we desert J 72, or what- 
ever our shelf in the apartment building may be, 
we may well remind ourselves that we are also to 
desert some of the things that have made city life 
enjoyable. For one thing, with all our growling at 
the landlord, we have been able to cast upon him 
many burdens that we are now to take upon our- 
selves. Some of our sarcasms are quite certain 
to come home to roost. The details of purchasing 
fuel, of maintaining heat, of making repairs, are 
now to come under our jurisdiction, and we shall 
see whether we manage these duties better than 



6 Tin: (oMi'Liyj'h: iiomi: 

till' iiKiD wlio is paid a lump sum to assume 
them. 

RENUNCIATIONS 

Living ill a llat, or evi-ii in a city house, we do 
Tiot know, nor caix' to know, who the people above 
or uext door to us may bo ; and they are in pre- 
cisely the same position with regard to us. Mere 
adjacency gives us no claim upon their acquaint- 
ance, nor does it jmt us at the mercy of their 
insistence. Our calling list is not governed by 
locality, and we can cut it as we wish without em- 
barrassment. Choice is not so easy in the suburb. 
There, willynilly, we must know our neighbors and 
be known by them. Fortunately, in most instances 
they will be found to be of the right sort, if not 
fully congenial. 

The theater, too, must become rather a red- 
letter diversion than a regular feature of our ex- 
istence, if it has been so. Whatever enthusiasm 
we may possess for the opera, an occasional visit, 
with its midnight return, will soon come to satisfy 
us. Our pet lectures, club life, participation in 
public affairs, frequent mail delivery, convenience 
of shopping, two-minute car service, and freedom 
from time tables — these suggest what we have to 
put behind us when we pass the city gates. 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 7 

It is also the part of wisdom not to forget that, 
though the country is ahve with deHghts for us 
when all nature is garbed in green and the song- 
birds carol in the ehns and maples, there cometh 
a time — if we are of the north — when fur caps are 
in season, the coal scoop is in every man's hand, 
the snow shovel splintereth, and the lawn mower 
is at rest. Then it is that our allegiance to coun- 
try life will be strained, if ever — particularly if we 
have provided ourselves with a ten-minute walk to 
the station. Wading through snow against a winter 
wind, we see the " agreeable constitutional " of the 
milder days in a different light. 

We should think of all these things, and of some 
sacrifices purely personal. It is better to think 
now than after the moving man's bill has come in. 
Eeason as we may, regrets will come, perhaps lone- 
liness. But the compensations, if we have chosen 
wisely, will be increasingly apparent, and we shall 
be the very exceptions of exceptions if, before the 
second summer has passed, we are not wedded be- 
yond divorce to the new home. 

Once determined upon forswearing urban resi- 
dence, a multitude of considerations arise. First 
of these is "Which place! " Our suburban towns 
have been developed in two ways. Some are 



8 Tin: (OMi'T,!/!']: iioMi: 

" made to order," wliilc otlicrs were originally rural 
villages but liave come under metrojjolitan influ- 
ence. Living in the latter is likely to be less expen- 
sive, and local life may have more of a distinctive 
character; but the husk of the past is almost cer- 
tain to be evident in the mixture of old and modern 
houses and in a certain offish separation of the 
native and incoming elements. The " made-to- 
order " town is likely to exhibit better streets and 
sidewalks, to be more capably cared for, to be freer 
from shanties, and to possess no saloons. Land and 
living may demand greater expenditure, but they 
will be worth the difference. 

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 

With ninety-nine out of a hundred families the 
deciding argument in favor of going to the suburb 
has just got into' short dresses and begun to say 
" Da-da." Already we see pointings to the child- 
ish activities that we would not check. No one who 
stops to think about it chooses to have his children 
play in the city streets or be confined to a flat 
during the open months. For the children's sake, 
if not for our own, we turn to the country, and one 
of our first thoughts is for the children's school. 

I called on a young business acquaintance re- 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 9 

cently and found him engrossed in examining a 
pile of college catalogues. " Going in for a post- 
grad? " I inquired. " Why, haven't you heard? " 
he responded. "It's a boy — week ago Saturday. 
Er — ^would you say Yale or Harvard? " 

This was preparedness with a vengeance, to be 
sure; but almost before we realize that infancy is 
past, the boy and girl will be ready for school, and 
it is important to know that the right school will 
be ready for them. Happily, the suburban school 
is usually of special excellence, and the chief 
thought must be of distance and whether the chil- 
dren will need to cross dangerous railroad tracks. 

We shall, of course, wish to be where there are 
strong churches, with a society of our chosen de- 
nomination, if possible. It may be that the social 
life which has its center there will provide all the 
relaxation we require; if we seek outside circles, 
it is desirable to know whether we are likely to 
please and be pleased. Always there is the subur- 
ban club; but not always is the suburban club 
representative of the really best people of the town. 

TRANSPORTATION 

On the practical side a question of large im- 
portance is that of transportation. The fast trains 



10 Tin: co.MriJ'/ri: iio.mi: 

may make the run in twenty niinuUiS, but we shall 
not always catdi the fast trains, and the others may 
take forty, ^lorniug and evening they should be 
so frequent that we need not lose a whole hour on 
a " miss." In stormy weather we must find shelter 
in tlie station, comfortable or uncomfortable. On 
the husband's monthly ticket the rides may cost 
only a dime ; when the wife and her visiting friends 
go to the matinee each punch counts for a quarter, 
and four quarters make a dollar. To the time of 
the train must be added the walk or ride from the 
downtown station to the office, and the return walk 
fiom the home station. A near-by electric line for 
emergencies may sometimes save an appointment. 
None of these things alone will probably give pause 
to our plans, but all w^ill weigh in our general satis- 
faction or disagreement with suburban life. 

THE BUTCHER. THE BAKER, AND THE CANDLE- 
STICK MAKER 

Not every suburb is blessed with a perfectly 
healthful water supply. We must make sure of 
that. We want to find stores and markets suffi- 
cient to our smaller needs, at least, and to be within 
city delivery bounds, so that the man of the house 
shall not be required to make of himself a beast of 
burden. We hope, if we must employ a cook, that 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 11 

the milkman, iceman, and grocery boy will prove 
acceptable to her, for the policeman is sure to be 
a dignified native of family. We want the tele- 
phone without a prohibitive toll, electric light and 
gas of good quality at reasonable rates, streets 
paved and well cared for, sidewalks of cement, 
reasonable fire and police protection, a progressive 
comipunity spirit, and a reputation for our town 
that will make us proud to name it as our place of 
abode. 

THE HOME ACRE 

All these things may be had in scores of Ameri- 
can suburbs and smaller cities. But when we have 
selected the one or more towns that may please us, 
and get down to the house or lot, our range of 
choice will be found rather narrow. In the neighbor- 
hoods we would select, it is probable that few houses 
are to be rented. Most of them have been built for 
occupancy by their owners, who, if forced to go 
elsewhere, have preferred selling to renting. There 
is no prejudice against renters, but the sentiment 
is against renting, and this sentiment is well 
grounded in common sense. Still, some families 
find it advisable to rent for a year or so, meanwhile 
studying the local conditions and selecting a build- 



12 Tui: (o.Mri.i.ri: iio.mi: 

iiii; site. 'I'liis j)laii Jias inucli to commciul it, 
tlion^^li it iii.ikos a second move necessary. Others, 
wlio do not Iccl ;issiii('(| that a cliange in business 
will not coni])(.'l an caily removal, wisely prefer to 
rent, if a suitable house can be found f(jr what they 
can afford to ])ay. 

COMPARATIVE COST IN RENTING 

The i)roportion of income that may be set aside 
for rent depends on what that payment covers. In 
a steam-heated city flat with comjDlete janitor serv- 
ice, for instance, the rent at $40 is really no 
higher than the $25 suburban house, for heat and 
water rent are included. AVith the former, per- 
haps as mucli as a third of one's income could be 
spared for the fixed charge of rent; but in the 
country the proportion cannot with safety be 
greater than a fifth. Few satisfactory suburban 
houses can be rented under $35, and to this must 
be added the cost not only of coal and water, but of 
maintenance. On the whole, we are pretty sure to 
decide that it is better and cheaper to buy than 
to rent. 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 13 

THE LOCATION SENSE 

There is some advantage in being able to se- 
cure a lot in a square already built up. If present 
conditions are satisfactory we may feel reasonably 
sure that they will remain so. We know who our 
neighbors are to be, the sort of houses and other 
improvements that will affect the sightliness and 
value of our own property, and the surroundings 
that should in some degree govern the style of our 
abode. There is little of the speculative in such a 
choice, but we shall have to pay something extra 
for our assurances. 

In a well built-up town, however, we are likely 
to find a more eligible natural site at less cost if we 
are not too insistent upon being close to the rail- 
way station. The best sites in the older sections 
are already occupied or are held at a premium. 
If we have an eye for location and the courage of 
our convictions, we may chance upon an excellent 
lot that can be had for a comparatively small price 
because of its detachment. It may be so situated 
that the approach is through the choicest part of 
the village, affording us much of the charm of 
suburban life without additional cost. Provided 
sewer, water, light, sidewalks, and paving are in, 



I'i Tin: co.MiM.i.ri: iio.mi-: 

a link' ^^ivaler dislaiuv IVoiii tlio ci'iitcr may ))e 
well repaid by the beauty of the site, and after the 
family becomes accustomed to it the distance is 
scarcely noticed. Where tliere are telephones and 
local d('Ii\('ry of mail and j^roceries, occasions for 
going uptown arc not frequent. 

SIZE OF LOT 

The lot should have at least 50 foot frontage 
and be from 150 to 200 feet in depth. Many sub- 
divisions are now platted without alleys, which are 
not desirable unless scrupulously maintained. The 
site should, if practicable, be on a plateau or ele- 
vation that gives an outlook, or at least makes 
natural drainage certain. A lot below street level 
means exjoensive filling to be done. 

POSITION 

There can be little question as to the special 
desirability of an east frontage. With this ex- 
posure the morning sunlight falls upon the living 
room when least in use, while the afternoon glare 
finds the principal work of the kitchen accom- 
plished. The indispensable veranda on the east 
and south is also usable for a maximum jDortion of 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 15 

the day, while the more solid side of the structure, 
being opposed to the prevailing winter winds, 
makes the heating problem easier. 

OUTLOOK AND INLOOK 

Though we should not pay too much premium 
for an east front, it is always most salable, and the 
difference will come back if we should dispose of 
the property later. Outlook and protection against 
being shut in should be assured. Our own prop- 
erty may be " gilt edge," but if the man across the 
way has backed up a barn or chicken yard in front 
of us our joy in life will be considerably lessened. 
Our home is both to look at and to look out from, 
and we do more of the latter than of the former. 
There are only two ways to make sure of not being 
shut in, unless the adjacent lots are already im- 
proved. These are to buy enough ground to give 
space on either side, or to secure a corner. Some- 
times a corner at a higher price is the cheaper in 
the end. 

Certainly it is advisable, even though our own 
house be not high-priced, to discover if there is 
a building restriction to prevent the erection of 
cheap structures near by. This is regulated usu- 
ally by a stipulation in the deeds from the original 



in 'I'll I : COMI'T-l-.TF. HOME 

suhdividci'. Willidul this <^u;n';inty cx'cii a lii^li 
]»ilc(' lor lots does not Jiisurc that some fellow \sl)0 
has i)ul most of his monoy into the ground may not 
l)ut u}) a woodshed next door and live in it until 
lie can build a house. AVe sliall not find it amiss, 
either, lo know something of the character of the 
owners of the adjoining i)roperty, for if they are 
real-estate men there is a probability of their put- 
ting up houses built to sell. Non-resident owners 
may be expected to allow their vacant lots to re- 
main unkempt and to object to all improvement 
assessments. 

TREES 

Trees on the lot arc a valuable asset, though 
dislike for sacrificing them, if carried too far, may 
result in shutting out the sunlight that is more 
essential than shade to health. Cottonwood, wil- 
lows, and even the prettj^ catalpa are to be shunned 
in the interest of tidiness. On a 50- or even a 
100-foot lot we cannot have many trees without 
overshadowing the house. A few away from the 
building, not crowded together, will give more 
satisfaction than a grove and be less a detriment 
to health. Ordinarily grass will not grow to ad- 
vantage where there is much shade ; and a beautiful 




< 

D 

I— I 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE IT 

lawn, though open to the sunlight, is not only more 
attractive but much more serviceable than ground 
in heavy shadow and covered with sparse grass. 

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 

Prices of vacant property in different sections 
vary so greatly that one cannot safely approximate 
the cost of a building lot. It is safe to say, though, 
that if values are figured on a proper basis, a satis- 
factory site for a moderate-priced home can be 
purchased :for $1,000 in the town of our choice. 

We have made it clear to ourselves that a home 
— anyone's home — should be much more than a 
house plumped down upon any bit of ground that 
will hold it. When we come to consider the house 
itself, we are confronted by the knowledge that 
here the tastes and habits, as well as the size and 
resources of the family, must govern the decision 
of many problems considered. Numbers alone are 
not always a fair guide, for sometimes the man or 
the woman of the house, or the baby, counts for 
much more than one in figuring space require- 
ments. 

We have in mind here that we are a family of 
four, that we have an income of from $1,500 to 
$2,500, and that we are prepared to spend or obli- 



18 Tin: ( ().Mrij;i'i: home 

gate ourselves to spend from $2,000 to $3,500 for 
a house to go on a lot to cost $1,000. The house 
we think of would ix' not too large Tor two and 
certainly would comfortably acconnnodate five or 
even six, depending ui)on their relations to one 
another. The extremes of income mentioned would 
scarcely affect our plans, and the difference in cost 
is accounted for by the choice of nonessentials and 
not by differences in the principal features of the 
house. 

STYLE 

Now, if we have already set our hearts upon 
having a house just like that " love of a place " we 
saw in Wayout-on-the-Hill the other day, we shall 
have to reconsider the entire lot proposition. We 
may as well face the fact that the house which is 
everything appropriate and artistic in one place 
may in another be simply grotesque. In this phase 
of the selective work we will profit by the advice 
of the architect, if he be something of an artist 
and not simply a draughtsman. At any rate, if we 
have the lot, let us decide what style of house 
should be on it; if we are surely settled upon the 
house, then by all means let us get a lot it will fit — 
and have a care, too, with regard to the style of 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 19 

architecture (or lack of it) in our prospective 
neighbors' houses. 

There have been two extremes in later Ameri- 
can home architecture — overornamentation and ab- 
solute disregard for appearance. The first arose 
from a feeling that every dollar spent in the inter- 
est of art ( !) should be so gewgawed to the outer 
world that all who passed might note the costliness 
and wonder. The second extreme had its birth in 
an elementary practicality that believes anything 
artistic must be both extravagant and useless. 

None of us can afford to build a house merely 
for its artistic qualities. Yet we feel that we owe 
it to our neighbors and to the community to make 
the house sightly. Most of all, we owe it to our- 
selves, for the product of our plans will be the 
concrete expression of our personality. Fortu- 
nately showiness is neither necessary nor desir- 
able; while artistic qualities are not so much a 
matter of money as of thought. A few days ago, 
in a suburb of a Western city, I passed two houses 
recently constructed. One was simply an enlarged 
drygoods box with a few windows and doors 
broken into its sides — altogether a hideous disfig- 
urement to the charming spot on which it was 
erected. Across the way stood the other cottage, 



20 Tiii: (OMi'i.i/i'i: Ho.Mi: 

with the SMI lie iiuiiilxT ol" rooms as its vis-d-ris, 
but really exquisite in its simple beauty. Aud the 
latter, I was told, though equally spacious, cost less 
than the monstrosity across the way ! Into the one 
there was put thought ; into the other none. Can 
we resist an opinion as to which home will be the 
happier 1 

SIZE 

Should we be somewhat limited in funds, we 
may have to make a selection between a large house 
finished in cheaper materials and a small house of 
the best quality all through. Doubtless much of 
the " hominess " that attaches us to some houses 
is due to their snugness, but not all of it. Size is 
secondary to adaptation to the family requirements. 
Waste space is an abomination, because it adds un- 
necessarily to the burden of the housekeeper ; yet to 
be so cramped that everything must be moved every 
day is not a satisfactory alternative. There should 
be some resen^e not only for emergencies but for 
future needs that may be foreseen. As the chil- 
dren grow up they will demand more room, and we 
shall want to give it to tliem. If we do not care 
to maintain surplus space for possible needs, the 
house should at least be ]ilauned with a view to 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 21 

making additions that will be in keeping with the 
general effect and will readily fall in with the 
practical arrangement of the house. 

What is said about emergency space applies 
principally to the sleeping apartments. There is 
an altogether happy tendency in these days to 
simplify the living rooms and to plan them for 
constant use. We of the East have something to 
learn from the Californians, whose bungalows and 
cottages are so often models of simplicity without 
the crudeness of most small houses in other sec- 
tions. Our coast brethren have demonstrated that 
a four- or five-room cottage will satisfactorily house 
a considerable family, and that it may be given the 
characteristics that charm without increasing the 
cost. 

PLANS FOR BUILDING 

The simplest and in many instances the pret- 
tiest cottages are of only a single story. But more 
than four rooms in one story makes a compara- 
tively expensive house, besides using up a great 
deal of ground. With the foundation, first story, 
and roof provided for, the second story adds little 
to the cost compared to the space gained. Where 
ground and labor are cheap the single story is to 

3 



^2 Tin: (OMi'Lirri: iio.mi: 

be considered; l)Ul in must places it would not be 
piacliciihic for us. 

Ill plaiiuiug the house due regard must be had 
fur the (lis) losit ions oi" the rcsj)ectiv(' members of 
the family. In any event we sliall not please all 
of them, but the less the others have to complain 
about the happier the rest of us shall be. 

NECESSARY ROOMS 

If paterfamilias is accustomed to depositing 
his apparel and other belongings rather promiscu- 
ousl}^ about, exj^ecting to find things where they 
were left on his return in the evening, it may be 
better to plan his room where it may stand undis- 
turbed rather than to attem])t the breaking of a 
habit which shows that he feels at home in his own 
house. Likewise, some place there should be where 
the mistress may conduct her sewing operations 
without wildly scrambling to clean up when the 
doorbell rings; the children should have at least 
one i)lace in the house where they may " let loose " 
on a rainy day, and the master should have some- 
where a retreat safe from interruption, as well as 
a workroom in the basement in which the tools and 
implements that quickly accumulate in a country 
home may be secure. 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 23 



THE SICK ROOM 

Sickness, too, may come, and the questions of 
privacy without an unwholesome curb upon both 
children and adults, of convenience to hot water 
and the bathroom, of saving steps for the nurse, 
should be thought of. An upstairs chamber is 
likely to be best on account of the ventilation, 
lighting, and distance from ordinary noises; but 
frequent journeys to the kitchen mean an excess 
of stair climbing. Whether there be sickness or 
not, there should be somewhere provision for in- 
dividual privacy, where absolute rest may be 
gained. 

A large indulgence in entertaining must have 
its influence in settling both size and arrangement. 
Ordinarily, however, we may expect to be reason- 
ably hospitable without enlarging our home into 
a clubhouse. If we do not consider this matter in 
building, propriety must compel us afterwards to 
limit our company to numbers that we can com- 
fortably care for. 



531 THE roMrLivri: itomi: 

ROOM TO HNTEKTAIN 

A good many of us wlio liave contrived very 
nicely to live in a six-room city flat seem to think 
tliat we cannot p:et along with that number of rooms 
in a suhurhaii house, though the latter would be 
considerably more spacious, not taking the base- 
ment into account. So far, however, as absolute 
essentials go, a six-room house, carefully planned, 
will provide for a family of four veiy comfortably, 
and it can be built in an artistic and modern style 
for $2,500 near Chicago, about ten per cent more 
in the vicinity of New York, and probably for a 
less sum in smaller cities. An eight-room house 
would cost about a third more, and is, of course, 
in many ways more desirable. But, generally 
speaking, we demand more room than we really 
need, and then put ourselves to additional expense 
filling up the space with unnecessary furniture. 

THE "LIVING ROOM" 

In small houses there cannot he great variation 
in the proportioning of space, but it is im}iortant 
that the use of each room should be well under- 
stood and that it should be planned accordingly. 
If that is not done our decorative and furnishing 




l-H 
> 

>-H 

w 
o 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 25 

schemes later on will be misapplied. Families dif- 
fer as to their dispositions toward rooms. Most 
of us would not think of calling for an old-fash- 
ioned parlor in a small house nowadays, but merely 
to change the name from " parlor " to " living 
room " doesn't change our habits. The living room 
is meant to take the place of parlor, library, recep- 
tion hall, and sitting room. If the family adjust 
themselves to it a great saving of space is effected, 
and the home life is given added enjoyment. Not 
all of us, however, can fit ourselves to new ideas, 
and it is better to suit ourselves than to be uncom- 
fortable and feel out of place in the home. 

The living-room plan in a small house reduces 
the reception hall to something little more than a 
vestibule, but where six rooms are exceeded the 
reception hall may be enlarged and made service- 
able. The first impression counts for much, not 
only with our guests but with ourselves, and if the 
hall be appropriately finished and fitted it seems 
fairly to envelop one with its welcome. One thing 
that must be insured, whatever form the entrance 
may take, is that it shall not be necessary to pass 
through the living room to reach other parts of the 
house. 



^w '11 II-: co.Mi'Li/n: iio.mi: 

THE DINING ROOM AND KITCHEN 

Vastness is not essential to tlie dining room. 
Under usual conditions we are not likely to seat 
more than a dozen jjersons at our table, and a din- 
ner j)arty exceeding that number is too large for 
common enjoyment. Connection with the kitchen 
should be convenient without having the proximity 
too obvious. City kitchens are now usually made 
just large enough to accommodate required para- 
])hernalia and to afford sufficient freeway for the 
cook. Many families do no home baking, and 
where fruit and vegetables are preserved the base- 
ment is utilized. Compactness in the kitchen saves 
hundreds of steps in the course of a day, and 
though it is difficult for us to forget the spacious 
room thought necessary by our parents, we may 
well learn, for our own comfort, to profit by the 
modern reasoning that opposes waste space. Still, 
it is better to defy modern tendencies and even to 
l)ain the architect than that the faithful house- 
keei)er who clings tenaciously to the old idea 
should be made miserable. Some persons feel per- 
petually cramped in a small room, whereas others 
only note the snugness of it. 



CHOOSING A PLACE TO LIVE 27 



THE SLEEPING ROOMS 

The general well-being of the family is more 
directly affected by the character of the bed cham- 
bers than by any other department of the house. 
However we may permit ourselves to be skimped 
in the living rooms, it is imperative that the sleep- 
ing apartments should be large — not bamlike, of 
course — well lighted, dry, and airy. Three large 
rooms are in every way preferable to four small 
ones. It is, to be sure, sometimes difficult to put 
the windows where they will let in the sunlight, 
the registers where they will heat, and the wall 
space where it will permit the sleeper to have fresh 
air without a draught. But marvels in the way of 
ingenious planning have been evolved where neces- 
sity, the mother of invention, has ruled; and as- 
suredly there is no greater necessity than a health- 
ful bedroom. 

The children's bedroom in the house of six to 
eight rooms is likely to be utilized as a nursery or 
playroom on rainy days or in winter. It should 
have an abundance of sunlight. The largest and 
best room of all should be used by the heads of 
the household. To reserve the choicest apartment 
for the chance guest is an absurdity that sensible 



.'^H 'I'll!': (OMiM.iyi'i: momk 

jK'ojilc lia\'(' .MltamloiKMl. If we iimsl, wo may sur- 
T-ciidcr our room t('mp()raiily (o the visitor, l)iit 
tlio persons who live in a house twelve mouths of 
the year are entitled to the best it afTords. Flat 
living has taught us to make use of all our rooms, 
and i)erhaps its influence is against hospitality ; Init 
we need not neglect that verv' important feature of 
a liapjDy home in doing ourselves simple justice. 

THINKING IT OUT 

If we would be quite sure of it — to use a Hiber- 
nianism — we should live in our house at least a 
year before it is built. We need an imagination 
that will not only perceive our castle in all its 
stages of construction but will picture us in pos- 
session. Advice is not to be disdained, and a good 
architect we shall find to be a blessing; but the 
happiness of our home will be in double measure 
if we can feel that something of ourselves has gone 
into its creation. And this something we should 
not expect to manifest genius, or even originality, 
but tasteful discrimination. 



CHAPTER II 

FLOOKS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 

TRADITION has established the condition of 
her floors as the prime test of a good house- 
keeper, and the amount of effort that faith- 
ful homemakers have had to waste upon splintery, 
carelessly laid cheap boards would, if it could be 
represented in money, buy marble footing for all 
of us. 

But we don't want marble floors. We are not 
building a palace or a showplace, but a house to 
live in. We are not seeking magnificence, but 
comfort and durability (which are almost always 
allied), as well as sightliness (which is not always 
in the combination). 

THE NECESSITY OF GOOD FLOORS 

Happily, when we come to floors we find that 
those which may be depended upon to endure and 
to give their share of home comfort are also the 
best to look u^Don. It would be agreeable to say, 

29 



30 Tin: co.MPiJ/ri: iio.mi: 

t'urllior, that tliey cost least, but that would be mis- 
Icadiiiir. Tin's l)ook fails to say not a few things 
that would be interesting Imt whicli wouldn't be of 
much real use to the liomemaker, because they 
aren't so. 

Leaving the everlastingly pestiferous question 
of cost aside, what is the best all-around flooring? 
Well, so far no one has been able to suggest any- 
thing that seems so a]ipro]^riate as a good quality 
of hard wood — wliich means oak or maple, or both 
— properly treated and, above all, laid down as it 
should be. The flooring is a permanent part of 
the house, or, if it isn't, we'll certainly wish it had 
been. As it is subject to harder and more constant 
usage than any other part of the structure, it must 
be strong, and it must have a surface that will re- 
sist wear, or we shall simply store up trouble for 
the future. It is also a part of the decorative 
scheme, and as such must help to furnish the key- 
note of our i)lans. All these requirements are met 
by hard wood. 

It is possible, we maj' admit, to have a happy 
and comfortable home with cheaper flooring; but 
the price that is not ])ni(l in money will be after- 
wards collected with interest in effort and sacrifice 
of satisfaction. Doubtless it is not wise, as some 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 31 

one suggests, to put so much money into our floors 
that we cannot afford to buy anything to put on 
them ; but in many instances the appearance of our 
house interiors would be much more pleasing if 
fewer pieces of superfluous furniture were brought 
in to cover the floors. At any rate, the longed-for 
furniture may be " saved up for " and bought later ; 
a mistake in floors to start with is hard to rectify. 

MATERIAL AND COST OF LAYING 

Oak flooring comes in narrow, thin strips of 
plain- or quarter-sawed. At this writing the plain- 
sawed costs, laid, usually 16 cents per square foot. 
It will never be cheaper. Where quarter-sawed is 
desired, a cent per foot must be added. Borders, 
which are by no means essential, cost from 20 to 
45 cents per lineal foot (laid). In a country house, 
where local artisans do the laying, the expense may 
be somewhat less for labor. But it must be remem- 
bered that fine floor laying is a trade of itself, and 
that the time to make sure of the work being prop- 
erly done is when the wood is put in. If the build- 
ing is properly constructed, a bulging or cracked 
floor is unnecessary. At all events, if we are in 
doubt as to the village carpenter's skill, we would 
do well to pay the few dollars extra for the expert 



32 TTTi: f oMi'i.iyn: iun\K 

froiii llic city. ( 'arct'iil inoasuroiiicnts arc also iiii- 
jjortaiit. csju'cially with lionlcrs aixl jianjUL'try. 

ORNAMENTAL FLOORING 

The liall, if lar^c, will permit of rallior more 
elaborate treatment than tlie rooms which are to 
be constantly occui)ied. Xo part of the house that 
is in use for hours at a time should be at all over- 
elaborated, i:)articularly in its unchangeable fea- 
tures. Care must be taken even in the hall to avoid 
any freakish combination that will either stand out 
conspicuously or demand a like treatment of the 
walls. 

Some folk like tiling in the hall, and if we have 
little more than a vestibule, tiling is quite satisfac- 
tory. It is durable and can be easily cleaned. But 
if the hall be of the medium or generous size, par- 
(juetry will be found more approvable if the ex- 
pense can be alTorded. The designs are richer 
without being so glaring as many of the tile effects, 
and the wood seems to have less harshness. Rub- 
})er tiling, however, has been found useful in jilaces 
where there is frequent jiassing in and outdoors, 
and has been developed in some pleasing designs. 

The additional cost for parquetry is not for- 
midable in a moderate-sized hall. Prices range 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 33 

from 20 to 40 cents per square foot, according to 
design. We sliall be wisely guided in choosing a 
simple square arrangement that will not protest 
against any passable decoration of the walls. Un- 
less the hall is spacious borders would better be 
omitted. They need to have the effect of running 
into hearths and stairways, and in a narrow pas- 
sage the center will be too crowded. 

Dining room and living room suggest the quar- 
ter-sawed flooring, the former admitting perhaps 
the stronger border, unless the two rooms are in 
such direct connection that they require continuous 
treatment. Upstairs, plain-sawed will do nicely 
for the hall and chambers, and also for the bath- 
room if it is not tiled. Borders, of course, may 
be dispensed with here, as there should be no sug- 
gestion of overornamentation in the permanent 
features of a sleeping room. 

For the kitchen hard maple is found to serve 
well. One may not find it amiss to inquire into 
the merits and costs of composition and rubber 
tiling, but they are not essential to comfort and 
cleanliness. Here we are concerned with essen- 
tials ; it is fully understood that we have our own 
permission to go farther afield in pursuit of more 
costly things if we choose. 



34 THE coMri.i:'! i: iio.mi: 

WAXED, VARNISHED. AND OILHD FLOORS 

Unless there aio small cliildren, expert opinion 
and llic (Icmaiids ol' licaiity favor waxed Moors. 
Ordinarily the floor must be rewaxed aoout every 
three months, Init a pound of wax, that will cover 
two ordinary sized rooms, costs only 50 cents, and 
it may be applied by anyone. To keep the floors 
in best condition the wax brush should be passed 
over them every fortnight. 

Varnish floors scratch but are not affected by 
water, and on the whole are rather more popular 
than oil or wax. They cost something less to 
maintain, and are less conducive to embarrassing 
gja^atics on the part of dignified persons wearing 
slippery shoes. 

If we may not demand oak or maple floors, well- 
laid Georgia pine, carefully oiled or varnished, 
would be our next choice. There is a large saving 
in initial expense, and perhaps some one else will 
be using them five years from now ! Though we 
cannot expect to get anything like e(|ual satisfac- 
tion from the cheaper wood as compared with oak, 
if we do feel bound to adopt it we shall have less 
cause for complaint later if we view very carefully 
the material and the operations of laying and fin- 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 35 

ishing. Poor workmanship can spoil the best of 
materials ; what it can do with cheaper stuff is ab- 
solutely unmentionable. Paint may be used on the 
upper floors and even limited to a border in the 
bedrooms. 

CARPETS 

The floors would not be quite so important if 
we were planning to entirely cover up their beau- 
ties or their uglinesses with another kind of beauty 
or ugliness in the form of carpets. But experience 
has long since made it clear to all of us that rugs 
are not only more healthful and in better taste, 
but, taken by and large, give less trouble to the 
housekeeper than carpets. Owing to the fixed posi- 
tion of the latter they are, too, quality for quality, 
less durable. It is true that in some parts of the 
house a rug or carpet fastened down may be de- 
sirable, but with good floors no such thing will 
suggest itself in the living rooms at least. 

LINOLEUM AND MATS 

Where a very small vestibule is substituted 
for the reception hall a parquetry or tile flooring 
would be left uncovered. Over a cheap floor a 
good quality of linoleum, costing about 50 cents 



M) Tin; ( oMi'i.i/ri: iioMi: 

I)or S(|U.'in' yjird, iii;iy lie iiliiced, A smnll mat of 
Ticat (l('sijj:ii, it' such <;iii lie fouiu], will take care 
of lliose jKTSons who iiave tlie i'oot-scrapin^ liabit, 
i"(',i,Mi(ll('ss of wliat tliey sfTaj)0 ii])on, tliou*?li the 
mat outside should do llic important woi'k. Serv- 
iceable mats are seldom things of beauty. As they 
come under the liead of flooi- covei-ings, it may be 
well to note that the best quality leather mat, guar- 
anteed to last twenty years, costs $1.25 a square 
foot. A fair imitation may be had for less than 
half that figure, and has the same proportion of 
value. The open-steel mat that serves best with 
tenacious mud costs 50 cents j^er square foot, and 
for rubber we must add a half or double the price, 
depending on whether we demand the made-to- 
order article or are content with stock. The old 
reliable cocoa mat may be had from 35 cents per 
square foot up, and is quite as useful and scarcely 
uglier than the others. 

THE STAIRWAY 

For appearance' sake, if our stairway is well 
constructed of good woods, we should forbear to 
hide it. But there is no place in the house where 
little AVillie can more effectively proclaim to all 
the household world his possession of double-nailed 




AN AETISTIC STAIRCASE HALL. 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 37 

heels tlian on the unprotected rises of the stairway. 
Even the tiny heels of the mistress of the home 
seem to clump like the boots of a giant in their 
numberless journeys up and down. So the hall 
runner must have a place. Perhaps the carpet 
will be of red or green, depending on the walls, 
but it need cost little more than $1 per yard for a 
fair quality. It is put down with stair pads ($1 
per dozen) and ordinary tacks, and the expendi- 
ture of 10 cents per yard for a professional layer 
will not be regretted. The amateur who can do a 
really good job on a stair carpet is a rarity. 

RUGS 

The Biglow Bagdad domestic rug in 27 by 54 
and 36 by 63-inch sizes is inexpensive but looks 
and wears well in the hall. The first size costs 
about $4 and the second $7. A little better qual- 
ity in Anglo-Indian or Anglo-Persian costs a dol- 
lar or so more per rug. Where there is constant 
direct use in the hall we will do wisely to get either 
a moderate-priced article that may be renewed or 
something expensive that will wear indefinitely. 
Sometimes the latter is the more economical plan. 
Very often halls are so shaped that a rug must be 
made to order. It is better to do this and have a 

4 



38 Tin: (o.MiM.i/n: tiomi: 

good-siz('(l rui; lliat will lie well than to risk trip- 
])iiii^ and slipi)in^ wilh smaller ones. 

l^\)r tlic living room a variety of choice in rugs is 
offered. Attempts to utilize a number of small rugs 
are not usually joyous in their outcome; besides, 
the floor space is too badly broken ii]». The large 
center rug holds its own, with some reenforce- 
ment in tlie alcove or perhaps before the hearth. 

\\niat quality the rug shall be depends largely 
u])on the length of our purse; yet sagacity and a 
modest fund will sometimes do more than plethora 
and no thought. Design selection is a task to vex 
the most patient, but we must not be drawn into a 
hurried decision. If we are near enougli to tlie 
business house with which we are dealing, it is 
advisable to have a selection of rugs sent out for 
inspection on the floors. Seen in the salesroom and 
in our house they may present different aspects. 

Generally si:>eaking, the showiest designs are in 
the cheaper goods, and the showier a cheap article 
is the quicker its shoddy qualities will be made 
manifest. Therefore, if we must count the pennies 
on our living-room rug, let us select a simple de- 
sign with a good body — something that will be 
unobtrusive even when it begins to aj[)peal for 
replacement. 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 39 

There is a considerable range of Wiltons, from 
the so-called Wilton velvet to the " Royal " Wil- 
ton. They are by no means the cheapest, though 
one may go fabulously beyond them in price; but 
their popularity shows them to be a good average 
quality, suited to the home planned on a modest 
scale. Body Brussels, although not affording such 
rich effects, also has many friends, and tapestry 
Brussels may be considered. There are names in- 
numerable for rugs and carpets, some of which 
have little real significance. If one knows a good 
design when it is seen, a little common-sense obser- 
vation of weights and weave and a thoughtful 
comparison of prices will help to secure the best 
selections. Here are some specimen sizes and 
prices quoted by one establishment: 



Size. 


Body Brussels. 


Biglow Bagdad. 


Anglo-Indian. 


6.0 X 9.0 


118.00 
22.50 
25.00 
32.50 
35.00 
42.50 


$25.00 
30.00 
35.00 
45.00 
52.50 
60.00 


$30.00 


8.3 X 10.6 


45.00 


9.0 X 10.6 


50.00 


10 6 X 12.0 


65.00 


10.6 X 13.6 


75.00 


11.3 X 15.0 


80.00 







Saxony Axminster, 9 by 12, is priced at $45, 
and is considered to be more serviceable than most 
grades of Wilton. 



40 Till-: co.Mi'i.i/ri: iio.mi: 

For the (lining room tlie })roblc'ni is a])oiit the 
same as for tlie jjrincipal apartment. Tlie rug 
need not be so expensive as the one in tlie living 
room, but it must assuredly l^e of the enduring sort. 

Tlie Scotch Caledon rugs sometimes solve the 
diftieiilty here. Indeed, they are not out of place 
in a really "homey" living room or elsewhere in 
the house. They are made of wool, woven like an 
ingrain, with no nap, and are especially pleasing 
for their artistic soft colorings, mostly in green 
or blue two-tone effects. They are, strictly speak- 
ing, not reversible, but some designs will permit 
use on both sides. AATiile they do not wear quite 
so well as a Wilton, they come at least a fifth 
cheajier. Prices range from $9 for a -i.G by 7.G to 
$45 for a 12 by 15. 

The sizes we have mentioned are standard. If 
our rooms have been j^lanned in such wise as to 
require rugs to order we shall have to add ten per 
cent to our expenditures. 

ORIENTAL RUGS 

The sul),ieet of oriental rugs, to be intelligently 
discussed, would require an entire book, and there 
are books that may be and should be studied by 
those who can afford orientals. Most of us can- 




AN OEIENTAL EUG OF GOOD DESIGN: SHIEVAN, 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 41 

not. There are, indeed, good reasons for the high 
cost of the genuine oriental, in its superior color- 
ing, wide range of design, and wonderful dura- 
bility. The right sort grows richer with age. But 
our plans are not so much for posterity as for 
present uses, and we can get along very well with- 
out testing our wits in the oriental rug market. It 
is a test of wits, for there are no standards of size 
or price, and spurious goods sometimes get into 
the best of hands. Small Daghestans and Baloo- 
chistans may be had even lower than $20, but any- 
thing we would care to have in living room or 
dining room would take $150 to $200 from our 
bank account. 

KITCHEN AND UPPER FLOORS 

In the kitchen, and perhaps in a rear vestibule, 
unless the floor is of a sort to be easily wiped up, 
linoleum may be demanded. The upper hall will 
require a continuation of the stair runner, with 
perhaps a rug if it broadens out at the landing. 
For the bed chambers the question of individual 
use must be thought of. Brussels rugs will do in 
most cases. A large rug means considerable shift- 
ing to get at the floor, but is the more comfortable. 
Smaller rugs will permit sweeping under the bed 



42 THE COMPLETi: HOME 

witlioul moving it I'nr, and slumld he jilarcd under 
llic casters, wliicli will injure the liard-wood fJoors 
if allowed to rest directly thereupon. 

MATTING AND CORDOMAN CLOTH 

Next in choice would be to s])end 25 or 30 cents 
a yard for matting and cover the entire floor, add- 
ing one or two rugs to head off the sliivery feeling 
that arises from a contact of hare feet with cold 
matting on a winter morning. The casters will 
cut the matting, too; we must look out for that. 
A border of flooring, painted or not, may be left; 
but generally, if anything is to be fastened down, 
it should cover the entire space, avoiding the ugly 
accumulation of dust that othei'wise gathers under 
the edges. 

More expensive than matting, but likely to be 
quite satisfactory, is cordoman cloth, a floor cover- 
ing that comes in plain colors and may be easily 
swept and wii)ed up. It costs from 45 to 55 cents 
per yard, and the wadded cotton lining that goes 
with it is very cheap. Considering its greater 
durability than matting, cordoman is really the 
more economical, and the homemaker will do well 
to investigate its merits. 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 43 

CHILDREN'S ROOM AND "DEN" 

For the children's room linoleum will probably 
stand the wear and tear, prove more hygienic, and 
do as much toward deadening noise as anything 
short of an impossible padding could do. On the 
porch a crex-fiber rug or two — the sort that stand 
rain and resist moths — may be desired, but they 
can wait until we are settled and have found our 
bearings. The " den," if there is to be one, or the 
separate library, may in the one instance be left 
to individual caprice, in the other to good judg- 
ment in suiting it to the prevailing thought. 

USES OF THE DECORATOR 

If we have not done so before, when we take 
up consideration of the walls we will, if we can 
afford it, call in a professional decorator. First, 
of course, we will make sure that he really may be 
of service to us, for his duty is to give practical 
and artistic development to the more or less vague 
ideas of which we have become possessed, and if 
he seems, from examples of previous work, to be 
wedded to a " style " of his own that would not 
jibe with our aspirations, we would better try to 
struggle along without him. 



4i 'I'm: coMiM.i/i'i: iiomi: 

r>ii1 it is ])Ossil)lo to secure the sei'\iees of a 
decorative artist for a siiiii not necessarily tremen- 
dous, and if we get bold of a sensi])le fellow liis 
advice will be, in the end, worth much more than 
the extra outlay. If he is a sincere artist, he will 
l)lan just as carefully for a modest six-room cot- 
tage as for a mansion, and lie will be able to take 
the good points of our own schemes and adapt 
them to expert a])plication without making us feel 
too insignificant. 

Explicit advice as to decoration, where there 
are thousands of us, each in different circumstances 
and with variant tastes, would be rather an absurd- 
ity. We may emphasize to ourselves, however, a 
few phases of the decorative problem in which lack 
of thought would lose to us some of the joys of a 
house perfected. 

If we are not to employ a decorator we must 
study out the problem for ourselves. To leave it 
for the painter and paperhanger to settle would 
be a fatal error. Much knowledge may be gained 
by the study of books and magazine articles, pro- 
vided they are very recent. It will be advisable to 
weigh this knowledge in the scales of practical ob- 
servation, however, in houses of late date. This is 
not so much because of changes in fashion as for 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 45 

the reason that improvements in process are always 
being made, and even the omnipresent folk who 
write books sometimes overlook a point. Concern- 
ing fashion, which of course has its sway in deco- 
ration, we will remember that the simplest treat- 
ment survives longest. 

WOOD IN DECORATION 

It seems that with the steady increase in cost 
of lumber we have grown more and more to appre- 
ciate the beauty of our woods. At any rate, wood 
is being used more extensively than ever in inte- 
rior finishing. This is in some ways a healthy 
tendency, as it makes for simplicity and admits of 
artistic treatment at a reasonable cost. 

Hall, living room, and dining room, for in- 
stance, may be treated with a high or low wood 
wainscoting and wooden panels extending to a 
wooden cornice at the ceiling. The wood may be 
a weathered oak, and between the panels is a rough 
plaster in gray or tinted to suit the house scheme. 
Friezes and plastic cornices are somewhat on the 
wane, in smaller houses at least ; though, of course, 
they will never go out of use altogether. 



4() 'I'm: coMi'i.i/ri: momi: 

PANIiLS AND PLASTIiR 

Tills ]tlastcr cfTcct is less ex])OTisivo than 40- 
c'L'iit burlaj) or ordinary white calciniiuc or paper. 
The ])icture molding may be at the bottom of the 
cornico. Sometimes the coraiee is droj)ped to a 
k'vcl with the tops of the doors and windows (usu- 
ally about seven feet), leaving a frieze of two or 
three feet, the molding then going to the top of 
the cornice. Ceilings and friezes of ivory or light 
yellow are usually in good taste. 

The living room may carry out the panel and 
2:)laster eifect, but is more likely to demand a sim- 
ple paper of good quality with no border. Here, 
as in the hall, the wooden (or plastic) cornice with 
no frieze is suggested. Grilles are discarded, and 
portieres are avoided where possible. 

THE BEAMED CEILING 

In the dining room the beamed ceiling has been 
found so appropriate that it continues popular. It 
is simple, easily maintained, and has the broad, 
deep lines that put one at ease. Here it is advisable 
to carry a wooden wainscoting up to about Sh feet, 
the panels continuing to the ceiling. Tapestry, 
burlaj), or i)laster may show above. Plate shelves 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 47 

are somewhat in disfavor, partly because of abuse 
and partly because the tendency is to eliminate all 
dust-catchers that are not necessities. Where doors 
and windows are built on a line (as they should 
be), shelves are sometimes placed over them. But 
there should not be too many broken lines if we 
would preserve the comfortable suggestion of the 
beamed ceiling. 

PAINT, PAPER, AND CALCIMINE 

For the kitchen, painted walls, which can be 
easily wiped off, and resist steam, are preferable 
to calcimine. Tiling halfway up will be found 
still better, but tiling paper, which costs more than 
painting, is scarcely to be chosen. For the bed- 
rooms the professional decorators are disposed to 
overelaboration. A simple paper, costing 15 to 35 
cents per roll, is best, or even plain calcimine, which 
many persons consider more healthful. The latter 
costs only $3 or $4 a room and may be renewed 
every year or two. Very nice effects are had in a 
Georgia-pine panel trimming running to a wood 
cornice, and in natural wood or painted white. 
With this the ceiling should be plain white, and if 
bright-flowered paper is used, pictures should be 
discarded. Lively colors, if not too glaring, give 



IS Tin: coMri.i'/ri: homi: 

a cliccrful ,"is|i<'ct to tlic rnoiii, but tlic safer plan 
is to stick to siiiiplicity. 

In the cliildren's room a tlirce-foot wood wains- 
coting is desirable. Part of this may bo a })laok- 
Ijoard without costing more, and at the top a shelf 
can be placed for toys. Figured nurserj- papers 
cost, per roll, fiom 35 to 75 cents, and will be a 
never-ceasing source of delight. If tlie walls are 
not papered they should be ])ainted, for reasons 
that need not be suggested. Isn't it wonderful how 
far a three-foot boy or girl can reach? 

SHADES AND CURTAINS 

We have not advanced much in the production 
of window shades that will let in light and air, shut 
out the gaze of strangers, hold no shadows, match 
interior and exterior, fit properly, work with ease, 
cost little, and last forever. The ordinary opaque 
roller shade still has no serious rival, and usually 
the best we can do is to see to it that we get a good 
quality which is not always reliable, rather than a 
l)Oor quality, which never is. 

The good old lace curtains that were the pride 
of the housekeeper's heart and the jest of the mas- 
culine members of the household seem to have had 
their day. It has been a long one, and any article 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 49 

that holds sway for so lengthy a period must 
have had some merit. But the soft chintz, linen, 
madras, or muslin is now the vogue, and there is 
much good sense in the innovation. No lace cur- 
tain ever made could be both artistic and service- 
able; some persons go so far as to say that they 
never were either, but we have too much reverence 
for tradition to be so iconoclastic. However, they 
certainly were expensive if they were good enough 
to have, were difficult to wash, and usually caused 
a dead line to be drawn about the very choicest 
part of the room. Linen curtains, costing from 
50 cents to $1.25 a yard, may be had in a set or 
conventional design or plain applique. Chintz 
and muslin cost less, and some remarkably pretty 
effects in madras are obtainable. Curtains now 
sensibly stop at the bottom of the window instead 
of dragging upon the floor. 

Besides shades and curtains the window ques- 
tion involves not only light, ventilation, and artistic 
relations, but such details as screens and storm 
windows. These latter matters come under the 
jurisdiction of the architect and should not be care- 
lessly settled upon. Each room has its uses, to 
which the window must conform as nearly as may 
be, and then the outward appearance of the house 



50 Tin: coMiMj/n: iio.Mi: 

must not 1)(' ror^othn. It. is often made or marred 
l)y tlic cliaiactcr niid i»lacin^ of tlie windows. 

LEADED PANES AND CASEMENTS 

Leaded or art glass is attractive if not over- 
done. Small panes are difficult to keep clean, of 
course; but we can probably endure that if all else 
be equal. In living rooms the upper sash should 
be made smaller than the lower, so as to get the 
median rail above the level of the eye. In some 
parts of the house a horizontal window gives a 
fine effect, besides affording light and air without 
affecting privacy. Casement windows have their 
l^oints of excellence, and are additionally expen- 
sive chiefly in hardware. The frames are really 
cheaper, but they must be very accurately fitted to 
avoid leaks. 

Casement windows seriously complicate the 
screen and storm-window problem, and expert 
])lanning is necessary. The durability of screens 
depends mostly ujDon their care or abuse, but if it 
can be afforded, copper wire will usually last suffi- 
ciently longer to repay its additional cost. Metal 
frames are not so essential. The best form is 
that which covers the entire window and per- 
mits both sashes to be freely opened; but this costs 



FLOORS, WALLS, AND WINDOWS 51 

practically twice as much as the half-window 
screen. 

STORM WINDOWS 

Storm windows should be carefully fitted or 
they will come far from serving their purpose. If 
they are of the right sort they will soon repay their 
cost in easing up the furnace. Preferably they 
should be swung from the top, both for ventilation 
and washing and to avoid a check upon egress in 
case of fire. Some persons object to storm win- 
dows on account of the supposed stoppage of ven- 
tilation, but that rests entirely with the occupants 
of the house. They can get plenty of fresh air 
without letting the gales of winter have their own 
sweet will. 

With floors, walls, and windows determined 
upon, we have a good start on the interior of our 
house. But we may only pause to take breath, for 
we now have to give most careful consideration to 
two decidedly important factors in our comfort — 
lighting and heating. 



CHAPTER TTT 

LIGHTING AND HEATING 

IF coninion sense has governed our jiroceedings 
to date, the new house we are building, or 
the ready-built one we have chosen, will have 
full advantage of the one perfect light — that af- 
forded by the sun. 

NECESSITY OF SUNLIGHT 

The health-giving proi)erties of sunlight are so 
well known to all of us that we wonder why so many 
otherwise sensible folk seem to shun it, with trees 
and vines, awnings and blinds denying access to 
that which would make the house wholesome. When 
possible, every room in the house should have its 
daily ray bath, and our apartments should utilize 
the light of the sun as early and as late as may be. 

Perhaps nature intended all creatures to sleep 
through the hours of darkness. If wo had followed 
that custom we might be a race of ]\[ethuselahs ; 
who knows? Why some one has not established 

52 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 53 

a cult of sleepers from sunset to dawn is really in- 
explicable. But mankind in general has persisted 
in holding to a different notion, and since the sun 
declines to shine upon us during all the hours of 
the twenty-four, and we insist upon cutting the 
night short at one end, we have had to devise sub- 
stitutes for the sunlight. 

Of course the sunlight does not always leave 
us in unbroken darkness. Few of us are so far 
departed from the days of mellow youth as to for- 
get certain summer evenings, linked in memory 
with verandas or bowered walks, when moonlight 
— and even that in a modified form — ^was the ideal 
illumination. But even if we could employ the 
good fairies to dip them up for us, we should find 
the soft moongleams of the summer evening a 
rather doubtful aid in searching for the cat in the 
dark corners of the basement. 

Omitting pine knots, which are rather out of 
vogue, modern home lighting includes four forms 
— candles, oil lamps, gas, and electricity. The first- 
named are not, it is true, used to any extent for 
what may be called the practical purposes of light- 
ing ; but in many ways their light is most beautiful 
of all. Some charming candelabra suited to the 
dining table are found in the better shops, and an 



54 Tin: ("oMiM.i/ri: iiomi: 

investment in a clioice design is a very justifiaijle 
extravagance. Candle illmninatiou is ol' all varie- 
ties the one least tr}'ing to the eyes and to the com- 
plexion, though its effect upon the temi)er of the 
]ierson tending tlie candles is not so sure to be 
hai)py. However, the sort with a hollow center, 
called Helion candles, require little attention, and 
the patented candle holders, which work automati- 
cally, give no trouble at all. 

KEROSENE 

Notwithstanding there are some points in favor 
of the old reliable kerosene lamp, even when jjut 
in the scale with other illuminants, few people of 
the younger generation regard it as other than 
something to be endured. In view of the facts that 
an oil lamp requires a great deal of attention, usu- 
ally leaves its trail of oil and smoke, is ill-smelling, 
disagreeably hot in summer, and always somewhat 
dangerous, it is strange that those who cling to it 
as to a fetich ai'e usually the ones who have long- 
est struggled with its imperfections. The pretext 
for this conservatism, whether it be sjDoken or 
reserved, is economy. If we are of this class, we 
may be shocked to discover that, after all, kero- 
sene lighting is really no cheaper than gas or elec- 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 55 

trie light, if sufficient illumination is afforded, and 
insufficient lighting is surely ill-judged economy. 

GAS AND MATCHES 

Few communities of respectable size are now 
without gas or electricity, and even in the country 
the latter is almost everywhere obtainable. If not, 
an individual gas plant, of which there are several 
makes, may be installed at a moderate cost. Prop- 
erly placed, such a plant is safe and easily regu- 
lated and will furnish light for somewhat less than 
the usual charge of the gas companies. 

Gas has never fully supplanted kerosene, even 
where it is readily obtained. Why this is true we 
need not pause to discuss; perhaps a fairly well- 
founded suspicion of the meter has had something 
to do with it. But certainly no one building a house 
in these days would fail to pipe it for gas if the 
supply were at hand, even if it were to be used only 
for kitchen fuel. Gas has its virtues as an illu- 
minant also, and is favored by many on account 
of the softness of the light. 

But while gas is preferable to kerosene, elec- 
tricity is with equal certainty preferable to gas. 
It is more adaptable, is in many places quite as 
reasonable in cost, and is cleaner and safer. In 



56 Tiir: co.Mii.i.'ri: iio.mi: 

iiuiiiorous country comnninitios where gas is not to 
1)0 liad eloc'tricily Is av;iil;ililt', as l"rc'(iuently a large 
region cnil tracing several towns is suitplied from a 
single generating i)lant. 

Gas is subject to fluctuations in quality, some- 
times becoming quite dangerous in its effect ujjon 
the atmosi^here. Water gas, which is very gener- 
ally manufactured, is said to carry four or five 
times as much carbon monoxide per unit of bulk 
as retort gas. It has for the hemoglobin of the 
blood four hundred times the affinity of oxygen, 
and a proportion of only two tenths of one per 
cent may produce heart derangement. "While we 
are wondering that we are alive in the face of such 
dreadful facts, we may note further that gas is 
rather variable in its qualities as an illuminant. 
We have mentioned the suspicious gas meter, whose 
vagaries doubtless have caused more virtuous in- 
dignation with less impression upon its object than 
anything ever devised. An open flame is always 
a menace ; and then there is the burnt match. Most 
housekeepers, I am sure, w^ould testify to their be- 
lief that matches were not made in heaven. Is there 
anything that so persistently defies the effort for 
tidiness as the charred remains of a match, invari- 
ably ignited elsewhere than on the sandpaper con- 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 57 

spicuously provided, and more likely to be tossed 
upon the floor or laid upon the mahogany table 
than to find its way into the receptacles that yearn 
for it? 

For cooking, however, gas must still be a main 
dependence, and for this reason, as well as to pro- 
vide for remote emergencies, the house should be 
piped for gas. At least it should be brought into 
the house, even if the piping is not continued 
farther than the kitchen. 

ELECTRIC LIGHT 

In seeking to secure sufficient light we often go 
to the extreme of providing a glare that is trying to 
the eyes and would test the beauty of the loveliest 
complexion that ever charmed in the revealing 
light of day. We go further, mayhap, and con- 
centrate the glare upon the center of the room, with 
a shade of bright green which gives an unearthly 
but not a heavenly cast to all the unfortunate 
humans who come under its belying influence. 

Objection is sometimes made to electric light 
that it is too powerful, and that it is difficult 
to modify and control. This impression is due to 
the tendency of which we have spoken — the work- 
ing out of the thought that proper lighting is a 



58 'ni\] coMi'i.i/ri: iiomi: 

question ol" (ni;iiili!\. l-'ur soiiie- persons the ideal 
arran^eiiieiit would set-ui to he a searehlight at 
eaeli eoiiier ol' the room, with a few arc lights sus- 
pended from a mirrored eeiling. 

Ellectrie light, to furnish the most agreeable 
effects, must be softened and ])roi)erly diffused. 
If the light units that so perfectly illumine a room 
during the day were concentrated they would make 
a blinding glare, but diffused they are properly 
tempered to the eye. The common thought seems 
to be to put all the hghts of the living room in the 
center, and to make them so powerful that they 
will penetrate every corner of the room and make 
it " light as day." In consequence the center is 
overlighted, and instead of a similitude of daylight 
we have unreality. 

PLEASING ARRANGEMENT 

For the dining-room and library table some 
form of drop light is essential. There are arrange- 
ments that will transform the banquet or student 
lamp into an electric drop light, or the special 
outfits for this use may be had in some very artis- 
tic designs. For general lighting, wall sconces, 
lanterns, or brackets are preferable. Some of these 
are very beautiful, though there is a tendency to 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 59 

overelaboration. Design, of course, should be in 
keeping with the general decoration and outfitting 
of the room. Instead of four sixteen-candle-power 
lights in a center chandelier, eight of eight-candle 
power will " spread " the illumination better and 
add little to the expense, except for fixtures. In 
beamed ceilings which are not too high, the effect 
of lights placed upon the beams is pleasing, though 
the effect upon the monthly bill may not have the 
same aspect. Electric lamps at the sides should 
be at a fair height and throw their light downward, 
instead of wasting it upon the ceiling. 

The pretty lanterns of antique design are ex- 
pensive, the simplest sort costing $4 or $5 apiece. 
There are numerous artistic brackets, however, that 
may be had for smaller amounts. Bulbs are made 
in all sorts of shapes to fit recesses or for special 
purposes, and the designs in shades and candelabra 
are legion. 

ADAPTABILITY 

Electricity's strong card is its adaptability. It 
can go wherever a wire may be carried, and into 
many places where gas or oil lights would not be 
safe or practical. The only thing lacking is to 
make it wireless, and perhaps invention sooner or 



later will lie (Miual Id lliat (Icniaiid. Maily iiislalla- 
tions were rather carelessly made, hul niuiiicipal 
and underwriters' rules are now so strict tliat j)rac- 
tieally all dan,c:er of fire has l)een eliminated. The 
householder in the country should make sure that 
the underwriters' prescriptions are fully observed, 
as his insurance may be affected. In the city, 
official inspection usually guarantees correct wiring. 
Probably only in the hall, dining room, and liv- 
ing room will we be greatly concerned with the 
decorative phase of lighting. Elsewhere the ques- 
tion is largely one of practical use, though consid- 
erations of taste are not to be neglected. Careful 
study should be given to the adaptation of lighting 
to the future uses of the rooms. This will perhaps 
avoid the use later of unsightly extension cord, 
though this avoidance can scarcely be made com- 
plete. 

PROTECTION 

A very useful light may be provided for the 
veranda, just outside the door, illuminating the 
front steps and path to the sidewalk. This light 
may be turned off and on by a switch key inside 
the door. It is particularly comforting when some 
stranger rings the doorbell late at night and one 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 61 

does not feel overpleased to be called upon to open 
the door to an invisible person. Other switch ar- 
rangements make it possible to turn on the upper 
hall lights from below, or the lower hall lights 
from above, and the lights in each room from the 
hall. When there are unseemly noises downstairs 
in the wee sma' hours it is much more agreeable 
to gaze over the balustrade into a bright hall than 
to go prowling about in the darkness for the bulb 
or gas jet, with the chance of grasping a burglar 
instead. Some burglars are very sensitive about 
familiarities on the part of strangers, and it is al- 
ways better to permit them to depart in a good 
humor. The basement lighting, too, should be regu- 
lated from above, and the dark comers should 
be well looked after. At best, the basement is a 
breeder of trouble. If the light is in the center, and 
must be turned off at the bulb, the return to the 
stairway from the nocturnal visit to the furnace is 
likely to be productive of bruised shins and ob- 
jurgative English ; if the light operates from above, 
one either forgets to turn it off and leaves it to burn 
all night, or becomes uncertain about it just as he 
is beginning to doze off, necessitating a scramble 
downstairs to make sure. Perhaps it would be well 
to have a choice of systems. 



Gti Tin-: coMiM.iyri: ho.mk 

Some houses lunc been so wIkmI that one can 
illuiiiiji.'ite ('\ei'y room from tlic liall or fVoin tlio 
master's l)edioom. This necessitates comi)hcated 
wii'in^ and will not be found necessary by most oi" 
us. Xeitliei' will we desire to spend our hardly 
won cash in wiring our four-poster bed for reading 
lights, or to ])ut lights iiiidci- tlic dining table for 
use in searching for the lost articles that always by 
some instinct seek the darkest spots in the room. 
If there be a barn or shed on the lot, an extension 
carried there will be found convenient and com- 
paratively inexpensive. In the kitchen and pan- 
tries the lights should be considered in detail so 
that all the various operations may be served. 
Shadowed sinks and ranges and dark pantries are 
not necessary where there is electric light. 

REGULATED LIGHT 

In halls, closets, and bathroom lower-power 
lamjos, or the " hylo," which may be alternated 
from one- to six teen-candle power, will prove an 
economy. The " hylo " is also useful in bedrooms 
where children are put to sleep, affording sufficient 
light to daunt the hobgoblins without discouraging 
the approach of the sandman. Some persons can- 
not sleep without a light; for them, and for the 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 63 

sick room, the low-power light is eminently prefer- 
able to the best of oil lamps. 

There are numerous conveniences to be oper- 
ated by electricity, such as chafing dishes ($13.50), 
flat irons ($3.75 up), curling-iron heaters ($2.25 
up), electric combs for drying hair ($4), heating 
pads, in lieu of hot-water bags ($5), and many 
articles for the kitchen. These are operated from 
flush receptacles in baseboards or under rugs, or 
from the ordinary light sockets. 

THE TWO SURE WAYS OF HEATING 

There is only one efficient and healthful method 
of heating a house, and that is with a hot-air fur- 
nace. I have that on the authority of a man who 
sells hot-air furnaces, and he ought to know. 

Substitute " steam or hot water " for " hot-air 
furnace," and we have the assurance of the man 
across the way who sells boilers and radiators. 

The beauty of it is that each proves his case to 
one's entire satisfaction — not only that his own 
system is a marvel of perfection, but that the other 
systems are dangerous to health and breeders of 
unhappiness and really ought (though he wouldn't 
like to say so) to be prohibited by law. 

So we shall have to decide the question for our- 



nt Tin: coMri.i'/ri: home 

selves. ]r we ci'i-, we can still aliusc the dealer, or 
the arcliitet't, or the eoiitiact(jr, for letting us make 
a mistake. 

THE HOT-AIR FURNACE 

The hot-air furnace costs least to install. (We 
leave stoves out of consideration.) It is also sup- 
posed to be easiest to manage. That, in a sense, 
is true. A good furnace will act pretty well even 
under indifferent direction; a bad one cannot be 
made much worse by the greatest of stupidity. 

However, the average person can run the aver- 
age furnace with a fair degree of satisfaction to the 
household, if not to himself. For a house of six to 
eight rooms the furnace may be considered an effi- 
cient means of heating. It requires more fuel than 
some other apparatus, but there are compensations. 

Since ventilation and heating are inevitably 
associated, the argument that the furnace provides 
for ventilation is a strong one. Tf the air is taken 
from outdoors, passed over the radiating surface 
into the rooms, and then sent on its way, something 
like perfect ventilation is assured. If the air is 
simply taken from the basement — a poor place to 
go for air — heated, passed through the rooms, re- 
turned, and heated over again, we may well pray 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 65 

to be delivered from such " ventilation." The suc- 
cess of the furnace depends not upon ability to 
keep up a rousing fire but upon a proper regulation 
of air currents. Many a first-class furnace, prop- 
erly installed, fails to work satisfactorily because 
the principle of heating is not understood. Even 
with the best of knowledge, the air is hard to 
regulate, and the very principle that gives the fur- 
nace its standing as a ventilator must prevent it 
from being a perfect heater. 

Unless some artificial moisture is provided, not 
only will the air be too dry for comfort and health, 
but an excessive degree of heat must be attained 
in order to warm the rooms, thus increasing the 
consumption of coal. A water pan is usually pro- 
vided in the furnace, but too often it is neglected. 

DIRECTION OF HEAT 

If any mistake in selection of size is to be made, 
it should be in favor of excess. Most authorities 
urge the choice of at least a size above that indi- 
cated by the heating area. A chimney with suitable 
draught is imperative. The furnace should be 
placed in a central location and should be set suffi- 
ciently low to permit the essential rise of the heat 
ducts. If the basement is low the furnace should 



m THE COMPLETE HOME 

1)1' (leprossod. While llic heat coiix-eyors should not 
ascend directly licm the J'uiiiacc, tiiey should not 
be earned any farther than necessary in a hori- 
zontal position. The velocity of heat is diminished 
in carrying it horizontally, increased vertically. 
Crooks and turns add to the friction and decrease 
heating power. Therefore the pipes sliould be as 
short and direct as possible. It is not necessary to 
carry the register to a window on the farther side 
of the room, say some authorities, as the warm air 
rises to the ceiling anyway, and the greater length 
of carry involves a loss in warmth. 

Pipes for the first floor should be large. Those 
for the upper rooms, having a longer vertical range, 
may be smaller. All the pipes should be double, 
with an inch air space between, as a protection 
against fire. Asbestos paper on a single i)ipe is not 
regarded as a sufficient precaution, as it is easily 
torn and quickly wears out. 

REGISTERS 

There are arguments in favor of side-wall reg- 
isters. They save floor space and obviate some 
dust. On the other hand, they are not quite so 
effective in heating as the other sort, since the pipes 
for floor registers may be of larger diameter and 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 67 

as a rule require fewer bends. Each register 
should have a separate pipe from the furnace. 
Where direct heat is not desired, a register opening 
in the ceiling of a downstairs room will sometimes 
carry enough heat to the upper chamber to make 
it comfortable for sleeping purposes. 

Since furnace efficiency is largely dependent 
upon air control, a strong wind sometimes makes 
it difficult to heat portions of the house. To meet 
this emergency there is a combination hot-air and 
hot-water heater which supplies radiators on the 
upper floors, or elsewhere if desired. The addi- 
tional cost is practically all in the installation, as 
the same fire furnishes both forms of heat. 

For an eight-room house or smaller, a first-class 
steel-plate furnace, securely sealed against the 
escape of gas and smoke, costs free on board about 
$150. Each two rooms additional raises the price 
about $25. Other furnaces may be had as low as 
$50. Cost of tin work, brick setting, etc., depends 
upon locality. 

HOT WATER AND STEAM HEAT 

Hot water and steam heat cost more for instal- 
lation, but have many advantages over the furnace. 
Their chief drawbacks are the space usurped by 



()'S Till-: ("o.MiM.iyri: iiomi: 

i';i<li;il()i's, lack ol' xciitilallnii, and llic ]iossi})ility 
of an occasioual breakdown. 'I'lie ingenuity of tlie 
makers, however, is partly overcoming tliese dififi- 
eulties, mainly by tlie device called the indirect 
system. 

AVe need not fret ourselves here with a technical 
elucidation of either fonn of heating. AVo may, 
however, consider some of the claims made for hot 
water, which is apparently coming to be considered 
the preferable arrangement for dwelling houses. 
There is not a great deal of difference between the 
essential features of steam and hot-water systems. 

It is declared that water will absorb more heat 
than any other substance, hence will take from the 
boiler practically all the heat produced in the com- 
bustion of fuel. As the temperature of the water 
is automatically controlled, the atmosphere of the 
rooms may be kept at the desired degree, the pres- 
ence of radiators in each room, all of the same tem- 
perature, giving an even heat over the entire house. 

There can be no sudden drop in temperature, 
as the water in the pipes continues to distribute 
warmth even after the fire has been checked or has 
been allowed to go out. The fuel required for an 
ordinary stove, it is asserted, will wann an entire 
house with hot water. An engineer is not required. 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 69 

Inexperienced persons have no difficulty in operat- 
ing the ordinary boiler, and there is no danger 
whatever, because, the makers adduce, for steam 
heat the maximum pressure is about five pounds, 
while with hot water there is practically no pres- 
sure at all. Very little water is used, and a con- 
nection with the street water system is not impera- 
tive, though convenient. 

INDIRECT HEATING 

Indirect heating is provided by passing air over 
radiators attached to the ceiling of the basement, 
thence to the upper rooms. In the " direct-indi- 
rect " system the radiators are placed in the parti- 
tion walls of the rooms they are to heat, the cold 
air being brought through a duct and, being heated, 
passing into the rooms. These two systems are 
economical of space and afford provision for ex- 
cellent ventilation. They are considerably more 
expensive, however, than the direct system, which 
involves exposed radiators. 

Radiators are now constructed in many differ- 
ent forms, to fit under windows, in corners, in fire- 
places, under cabinets, and so on. Much effort has 
been directed also toward relieving their painful 
ugliness, and if of a neat design appropriately 



70 Tin: coAirLirJi: homi: 

coloicd they iiecnl not be a serious blot upon the 
tleeorative scheme oi' a room. 

Hadiators, in the direct system, should be ijlaced 
far enough from the walls to jiermit free circula- 
tion over the heating surfaces, and should not be 
directly covered at the top. Ordinarily there are 
good reasons for putting them near the more ex- 
posed places, such as windows and outer doors. 
As both steam and hot water furnish a dry heat, 
provision should be made in every room for evapo- 
ration of water. 

SUMMARY 

With no prejudice against good furnaces, it may 
be said that hot water apparently affords the great- 
est possibilities for comfort and regularity of heat- 
ing, and that there are usually no reasons why it 
cannot be utilized in country houses. A hot-water 
installation is likely to cost twice as much as a fur- 
nace, but if we are to live in the house it is better 
to make our estimates cover ten or twenty years 
rather than to bear too strongly on first costs. 

The following table, while it must not be takeii 
as fully conclusive, gives at least a basis of con- 
sideration : 



LIGHTING AND HEATING 



71 



Hot Aib. 



Steam. 



Hot Water. 



First cost 

Comparative coal consump- 
tion 

Average durability 

Heat distribution 

Temperature 

Ventilation , 

Quality of heated air 

Dust and dirt 

Danger of fire 

Danger 'of explosion 

Noise 

Management 

Eelative cost of apparatus. . 
Ditto, plus repairs and 

fuel for five years 

Ditto, plus repairs and 

fuel for five years 



Small. 

18| tons. 
12 years. 

Uneven, 

Variable. 

Good, if 

properly 

managed. 

Ditto. 

Much. 

Moderate. 

Slight. 

None. 

^Delightful. 

9 

29i 

81 



Higher. 

ISi tons. 
35 years. 

Regular. 

Fair. 

Good, with 

indirect 

system. 

Ditto. 

Little. 

None. 

None. 

Occasional. 

* Pleasure. 

13 

291 

63 



Highest. 

10 tons. 
* Indestruct- 
ible. 
Even. 
Regular. 
Good, with 
indirect 
system. 
Ditto. 
None. 
None. 
None. 
Almost none. 
♦Joy. 
15 

27 

52i 



* Makers' statement. 



These comparisons are probably, on the whole, 
somewhat unfair to the high-grade furnace. 



CHAPTER IV 

FURNITURE 

MUCH of good sense and more that is non- 
sensical lias been written about furniture. 
Obsei*\'ation tends to justify belief that 
in general effect the nonsense has proved more 
potent than its antithesis. 

THE QUEST OF THE BEAUTIFUL 

Originality has been preached, and we have 
seen the result in abnormalities that confonn to 
no conception of artistic or i:»ractical quality ever 
recognized. Antique models have been glorified, 
with a sequence of puny, spiritless imitations. 
Simplicity has been extolled, and we find the word 
interpreted in clumsiness and crudity. Delicacy 
of outline ha^ been urged, and we triumph in the 
further accomplishments of flimsiness and hopeless 
triviality. 

And yet through all that has been preached, 
through all that has been executed, there runs a 

72 



FURNITURE 73 

vein of truth. Each age should express itself, not 
merely the thought of centuries past; still, it can 
expect to do little more than take from antecedent 
cycles those features that will best serve the pres- 
ent, adding an original touch here and there. So 
far, then, as we find in the furniture of the Geor- 
gian period, or of Louis Quinze, or even of the 
ancient Greeks, such suggestions as will help us 
to live this twentieth-century life more comfortably 
and agreeably, we may with good conscience borrow 
or imitate. 

ANCIENT DESIGNS 

Some " very eminent authorities " assure us 
that many of the objects of our admiration in 
museums and in private collections are remnants 
of the furnishings of the common households of 
the olden times. If the breadth of knowledge of 
the " eminent authorities " is indicated by this 
assertion, they must have touched only the high 
places in history, so far as it records social condi- 
tions. The truth is that the household appurte- 
nances which have survived to our time are mostly 
those of the few and not of the many, of the palace 
and mansion and not of the cot. These articles 
were costly then and they would be costly now. 



74 'I'lii: coMi'Li/ri: iio.mi: 

and very often (luilc as useless as eosily. TLey 
were not found in the cottage ol' tlic older days, 
and tliey do not belong in the cottages of tlie 
liresent. 

Nevertheless, many of these old designs exem- 
plify the elementary essentials of furniture — good 
materials, gracefulness, and thorough workman- 
ship. These are qualities that are to be sought 
for the cottage as well as for the mansion; and 
while they may add to the purchase cost of the 
separate articles, it is possible to secure them at 
no great increase for the whole over the cheaper 
goods, provided we guard against the common 
error in housefurnishing — overi)urchasing. 

THE ARTS AND CRAFTS 

What is known in America as the arts and 
crafts movement lias, in its sincere developments, 
sought to adapt the better qualities of the old de- 
signs of furniture to the demands of modern con- 
ditions, artistic and practical. Not always, how- 
ever, has it been possible to distinguish between the 
honest effort to enforce a better standard and the 
various forms of charlataniy under which clumsy 
and unsightly creations have been and are being 
worked off upon an ingenuous public at prices pro- 





GOOD EXAMPLES OF CHIPPENDALE AM) oLD WALNUT. 



FURNITURE 75 

portioned to their degrees of ugliness. In colonial 
times many an humble carpenter vainly scratched 
his noggin as he puzzled over the hopeless problem 
of duplicating with r^.de tools and scant skill the 
handiwork that graced the lordly mansions of 
merrie England; to-day some wight who can 
scarcely distinguish a jackplane from a saw- 
buck essays to "express himself" (at our ex- 
pense) in furniture, repeating all the gaucheries 
that the colonial carpenter could not avoid 
making. 

MISSION FURNITURE 

Others have set themselves to reproducing the 
so-called mission furniture which the good priests 
of early California would have rejoiced to ex- 
change for the convenient modern furniture at 
which the faddist sniffs. But most of us who stop 
to think, realize that there is no magic virtue in 
antiquity of itself. The average man, at least, can- 
not delude himself into the belief that there is com- 
fort to be found in a great deal of the harsh-angled 
stuff paraded as artistic. 

Let us not be understood, however, as hinting 
that artistic qualities must be disregarded. Though 
furniture should not be chosen for its beauty or 



'(i I'm: (o.MrM/ri: iio.mi: 

associations alone, it must not be considered at all 
if beauty is absent. 

COMFORT, /ESTHETIC AND PHYSICAL 

The first consideration of the home is comfort. 
Let no one dispute that fact. But there is such a 
thing as being irsthetically as well as physically 
comfortable. Conceptions of physical comfort dif- 
fer with individuals, but are usually well defined; 
some of us actually have no conception whatever 
of aesthetic comfort. That is no reason why we 
should not seek it. Probably we had a very faint 
idea of what good music or good painting was like 
until we came to an acquaintance with the masters ; 
but we are surely not sorry to have progressed in 
experience and feeling. And so it is that though 
we may not feel specially urged to insist upon 
tasteful surroundings, the higher instincts within 
us that persuade us to make the most of ourselves 
demand that we shall not be content with mere 
physical comfort. Therefore we may need to look 
a bit beyond our definite inward aspirations, and 
we should not disdain to follow others so far as 
they adhere to certain well-authenticated canons of 
good taste. 



FURNITURE 77 

OLDER MODELS IN FURNITURE 

Study of the older models of furniture is bound 
to prove suggestive, and it is better to secure from 
the library or bookseller a book by some authority 
than to depend upon dealers' catalogues, which 
are not always edifying. English models affecting 
present-day outfitting date back as far as the 
Elizabethan period, approximately 1558-1603. Fol- 
lowing there came the Early Jacobean, the Early 
Queen Anne, and the Georgian. The last includes 
the work of Chippendale, Heppelwhite, Sheraton, 
and the Adams, all of whom executed some beau- 
tiful designs. The so-called colonial furniture 
belongs also to the Georgian period, as does the 
" Debased Empire," con'esponding to or following 
the Empire styles in France. In the latter coun- 
try the periods of vogue are known as Francis 
Premier, Henri Deux, Henri Quatre, Louis Treize, 
Louis Quatorze, Louis Quinze, and Louis Seize. 
Under the designation of the " Quaint style " W. 
Davis Benn groups the "Liberty," Morris, and 
arts and crafts designs. Mr. Benn's " Styles in 
Furniture " will be found helpful in both text and 
illustration to those who would learn to distinguish 
between the products of the various periods. 



78 Tin: CO.Ml'LKTi: HOME 

MAHOGANY AND OAK 

Mahogany and oak are the best materials for 
furniture. The former is cleverly imitated in a 
mahoganized birch, which presents a pleasing ap- 
pearance and sometimes deceives those who are not 
familiar with the beautiful rich tones of the genu- 
ine article. Mahogany adapts itself to almost any 
sensible style of interior decoration, is likely to be 
of careful manufacture, and is almost invariably 
cherished for its beauty. Like other highly fin- 
ished woods it takes on a bluish tint in damp 
weather, and if not well protected, will demand 
attention more frequently than other materials. 
But if its purchase can be afforded the care 
given it will scarcely be begrudged. The eggshell 
(dull) finish requires less attention than the higher 
13olish. 

Next in degree to mahogany, oak in the golden, 
weathered, or fumed effect is handsome and dur- 
able, while it is somewhat less expensive. The 
moment one drops below genuine mahogany, how- 
ever, a wary eye must be kept upon construction. 
There are shifts innumerable to make cheap furni- 
ture that has an alluring appearance, and the 
variety of design in the moderate-priced materials 




A CHIPPENDALE SECEETAEY. 



FURNITURE 79 

will lead to confusion for those who do not exert 
a Spartan discrimination. 

SUBSTANTIALITY 

To insure satisfaction there must first of all be 
substantiality — a quality which affects both com- 
fort and appearance. A chair may be beautiful, 
it may be comfortable, at the time of purchase, but 
if it be not substantial its glories will soon depart. 
A superficial view cannot be conclusive. The care- 
fully made article built upon slender lines is often 
quite as strong as a more rugged creation hastily 
put together. The chair that is properly con- 
structed may be almost as solid as if it were of one 
piece, and still not require a block and tackle to 
move it. The strongest article is made entirely of 
wood, and we find some of the old models so 
sturdily built that no rounds were required be- 
tween the legs. In chiffoniers, dressers, or side- 
boards a handsome exterior should not blind us to 
cheaply constructed drawers. The latter should 
be of strong material, properly fitted, and well 
sealed. There need be no sagging, jamming, or 
accumulation of dust in drawers that are well 
constructed. 



so TiiK co.Mri.iyri: iio.mi: 

SUPERFLUITY 

Califoiiiia, willi its ])rc'{ty little ])ungalows, not 
only lias })ointed out to us the j)OSsil)ility of living 
satisi'aetorily in a small number of rooms, but lias 
shown us something in the way of simple fui'nish- 
ings. Not until we see what may be " done with- 
out " do we realize how much that is suijerfluous 
crowds our floors. 

A pretty good rule is to test everything first by 
its usefulness; if it is not useful, we may dispense 
with its purchase. Even at that, it may be necessary 
to demand that the article shall be not only useful 
but absolutely indispensable, for between the be- 
guiling advertisement and the crafty salesman, al- 
most anything that is manufactured may be proved 
necessary. At the best we shall probably purchase 
a-plenty, and the question of when a house reaches 
the point of overfurnishiug is a difficult one to 
settle. Let one of us, for instance, venture at mid- 
night into a dark room — be the ajjartment ever so 
large — with nothing but a rocker in it, and the im- 
pression may be gained that the place has been 
turned into a furniture warehouse. And some per- 
sons — none of us, to be sure! — are never happy 
while any of the floor or wall space is unoccuiDied. 



FURNITURE 81 

So the world goes. But if nine out of ten persons 
bought only what they could not do without, what 
they did purchase could be of a great deal better 
quality. 

No bit of furniture should be purchased for 
which there is not a suitable place in the house. 
A piece may be very attractive in the salesroom, 
and its practical qualities may appear irresistible, 
while on our own floors it may be perfectly incon- 
gruous and perhaps, on account of its enforced 
location, almost useless. 

If for no other reason, we should go slow with 
our purchases because we cannot know the real 
needs of our home until we have lived in it. Ex- 
perience will make some articles superfluous and 
substitute what we had not thought to want. There 
should be a regular saving fund or appropriation 
for keeping up the house fittings, and usually it is 
found that this fund grows more steadily if we 
have some definite purchases in view. Leave some 
things to be " saved up for " ; there will be less 
likelihood then of your being included in that large 
class to which the newspaper " small ads " appeal 
— " those who wish to trade what they don't want 
for what they do want." 



82 Tin: ( ().Mri,i:ri: iio.mi-: 

HALL FURNITURE 

111 a liall of the simpler soil tlic only roquirc- 
ments are a high-backed chair or settee, a table for 
cartes de visite, an umbrella receptacle, and a 
mirror wall hanger with hooks for the use of guests. 
The time-honored halltree is no more, and long 
may it rest in peace. If there had been no other 
reasons for its passing, its abuse in the average 
household made it an eyesore. Intended only for 
the convenience of the transient guest, its liooks 
were usually preempted by the entire outer ward- 
robe of the family. A good plan is to have a coat 
closet built in, under the stairway or elsewhere near 
the place of egress, leaving the few inconspicuous 
hooks in the hall to afford ample provision for 
visitors. An appropriation of $50 to $100 will fit 
up a small hall very satisfactorily. A pretty 
hanging lantern of hammered copper, with open 
bottom and globe of opalescent glass, will add more 
than its cost of $12.50 to the good iijipression the 
hall is to make ui)on those it receives. 

THE FAMILY CHAIRS 

Some good folk would banish the rocker un- 
ceremoniously from the living room, and we might 



FURNITURE 83 

not miss it so much as we tliink. It is tlie adapt- 
ability of the rocker to comforting positions, rather 
than a love of rocking, that endears the chair to 
the majority, and when the same qualities are 
found in the reclining or easy chair we can well 
spare the projections that menace skirts and pol- 
ished furniture, not to speak of the space they 
take up. 

As a general thing it is the man of the house 
whose comfort is most sedulously looked after. 
For him the easy chair, the slippers, the reading 
lamp, the smoking outfit, the house jacket, the even- 
ing paper. This fact is mentioned in no carping 
spirit. Far be it from one of the less worthy sex 
to quarrel with the fate that has been ordained 
for us by our helpmeets; the latter should not be 
deprived of a whit of the joy that comes from 
viewing the lord of the household agreeably situ- 
ated, and in that blissful state which breeds a 
kindly spirit toward all human kind, including 
milliners and ladies' tailors. 

But too frequently the mistress of the house- 
hold is supposed to pick up her comfort at odd 
times, or more likely there isn't any supposition 
at all. For her, for the master, and for the other 
members of the family, there must be a personal 



84 Tin: coMri.iyi'i: ttomk 

intorost In the living room, and tliis is best repre- 
sented by the most comfortable chair to be lia<l. 
As persons are built of different lieights and 
breadths, so the chairs should be. While the slen- 
der chap can snuggle down in the most capacious 
easy chair, the stout lady may be embarrassed 
when she finds the one single seat at hand proffer- 
ing only a scanty breadth. One may well provide 
for these contingencies, for of course it is not 
always possible to select our acquaintances in 
accordance with the capacity of our furniture. 
Heights, too, should be varied somewhat, though 
it must be confessed that the joy of life (for others) 
is much increased by the sight of a six-foot (tall) 
gentleman of dignity gradually unfolding himself 
from the chair that was purchased for the par- 
ticular use of Gwendolyn Ermyntrude, aged six. 

THE TABLE 

If the living room, among its other uses, takes 
the i)lace of the libraiy, the selection of a suitable 
library table will be a good test of the homemaker's 
discrimination. The quality of this table should 
be at least equal to the best we have to show. 
Whether it shall be squared, or oblong with oval 
ends, depends upon tastes ; by all means it should 



FURNITURE 85 

be get-at-able. That's what a library table is for. 
Good designs in " arts and crafts " may be had as 
low as $16.50 in a small size; 72-inch, about $50. 
Golden oak costs less; mahogany considerably 
more. 

THE DAVENPORT 

The davenport in mahogany or oak, in a plain 
or striped velour tapestry, felt filled, with good 
springs, built on straight lines with claw feet, 
broad arms, and heavy back, is a good article and 
will not leave much change out of a $50 bill. That 
represents a fair price for a fair quality, and it 
would be better to do without the davenport than 
to go in for something too cheap. The sort that 
have detached cushions in soft leather are very 
nice and practically dustless. The same is true of 
easy chairs so provided. A handsome weathered- 
oak davenport with cushions of this kind will be 
found marked somewhere about $65, while half 
that price pays for an easy chair of the same style. 
The cushions are filled with felt. Springs and fill- 
ings in davenports, easy chairs, and couches should 
be most thoroughly investigated. If there are carv- 
ings they must be subjected to the severest tests 
of appropriateness, and in no event should they be 



86 Tin: coMi'Li/n: iio.mi: 

where they will cuiik' in Jiv(|ueiil cuulacl with other 
articles or with persoii.s. 

BOOKCASES 

Bookcases in weathered oak, with the top sec- 
tions of the doors in leaded glass, seem worth the 
prices at $28 for 30-inch, $43.50 for 4-foot, and 
$47.50 for 5-foot; yet a simple 30-inch golden oak 
case " made in Grand Rapids," and of which no 
one need be ashamed, costs but $14. Sectional 
cases are very convenient, and are now being de- 
signed in artistic styles, but are not yet altogether 
approvable for the parlor or living room. For the 
library simply, they are to be recommended. Book- 
cases and other heavy jDieces should either set sol- 
idly upon the floor or have sufficient open space 
beneath them to penuit cleaning. Unless their 
contents are (mistakenly) hidden by curtains, the 
bookcases should not be placed in too strong sun- 
light, as some bindings fade rapidly. Nor should 
they be near the heat radiators, or against a wall 
that may possess moisture. The piano, too, must 
be protected against too great heat or moisture, and 
in a stone or brick house should be placed against 
a partition rather than the outside wall. 



FURNITURE 87 

SUNDRIES 

Useful, but not life-or-death essentials, are a 
tabouret at, say, $3.25, a footrest for a little less, 
and a magazine rack for $5 or $10. The problem 
of keeping periodicals in easy reach without too 
much of a " litter'ry " effect has not yet been 
solved. The open rack is the best compromise 
between sightliness and utility, because it is more 
apt to be used than the more ambitious arrange- 
ments with doors. In the general treatment of the 
living room the piano and its case are not to be 
overlooked, and the presence of a piano also sug- 
gests the music cabinet, with its problem similar 
to that of the magazine rack. As music is not kept 
so well " stirred up," however, the cabinet with a 
tight door is " indicated." 

WILLOW FURNITURE 

Willow furniture is used extensively in some 
country homes. It is made of the French willow, 
and is not so cheap but is stronger than rattan. 
Best rockers in this material sell at about $20. 
They are hardly to be considered in the permanent 
furnishings of the home, though there is no denying 
their cleanliness, coolness, and comfort, especially 
in summer. 



HH Tin: ('().Mi'i,i:'ri: iio.mk 

THE DINING TABLE 

For tlio (liniii.u: room the sensible preference 
seems to be for a round table with straight lines 
of under construction. The pillar base gives least 
interference with personal comfort, but even at 
that seems to be unescapable. AVhat has been said 
elsewhere about the choice of woods applies here 
also. The high cost of a large-size mahogany 
table, however, will probably enable us to see some 
of the special beauties of golden oak. A six-foot 
round table in the latter wood is priced at about 
$20. Medium height chairs, with cane seats, $2.75 ; 
leather, $3.25. Sideboards are now usually built 
in; otherwise the buffet table, free from excessive 
ornamentation, is given preference. 

DISCRIMINATION IN CHOICE 

A great deal of the factory-made furniture of 
the day is the veriest trash. The best feature of it 
is that it cannot last long and will not survive to 
disgrace us in the eyes of a later and perhaps more 
discriminating generation. For those who reside 
in flats, and are deprived of the inducement to plan 
for permanence, small blame can attach for hesi- 
tancy in making investments in the better sort of 



FURNITURE 89 

furniture that their tastes would lead them to 
choose. This is the penalty they pay for evading 
the responsibilities of genuine home life in a 
house. 

But good furniture is being built in these days. 
It is not confined to hand work, or to the products 
of long-haired folk who set up a religion of cabinet- 
making. In every city there are several grades of 
furniture dealers. At the one extreme there is 
the house that handles nothing but trash; at the 
other the house that handles no trash at all. The 
latter is the obvious choice ; and if we pay a bit 
more for safety — well, do we not pay for our 
insurance against fire, and burglars, and other 
things ? 

If our house has been planned on a scale com- 
mensurate with our means, we shall find it no ex- 
travagance to complete the larger work of outfitting 
with articles that will bring pleasure and not vexa- 
tion, that will need no apologies. Surely no em- 
ployment could be more interesting than the choice 
of these belongings which shall in many ways in- 
fluence ourselves and those about us. 

There is such a range of styles and costs that 
if we approach the problem intelligently we may 
" express ourselves " quite as accurately as though 



90 TIIK ro.MlM.l'/lM': IIOMi: 

\vt' were aiiiaU'ur craftsmen. Indeed, we tnust ex- 
jiress ourselves, whether we detemiiue to do so or 
not; for if we simply follow our cruder instincts, 
as the child selects its toys, do we not reveal the 
absence of any real artistic self whatever ? 



CHAPTEE V 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 



MOST of US "women folk" have some one 
dear pet hobby which we love to humor 
and to cater to, and which variously ex- 
presses itself in china, bric-a-brac, books, collec- 
tions of spoons or forks, and other things of beauty 
and joys forever. But whatever our individual 
indulgences may be, one taste we share in common 
— the love of neat napery. Her heartstrings must 
indeed be toughly seasoned who feels no thrill of 
pride as she looks upon her piles of shining, satiny 
table linen, and takes account of her sheet, pillow- 
case and towel treasure. They are her stocks and 
bonds, giving forth daily their bounteous, beaute- 
ous yield of daintiness and comfort, and paying 
for themselves many times over by the atmosphere 
of nicety and refinement which they create. For it 
is these touches, unobtrusive by their very delicacy, 
which introduce that intangible but very essential 
quality known as tone into the home harmony. 

91 



\H THE COMTLETi: HOME 

Tliougli this is true ol' all housrljold liuen, it is 
especially so of table linen, which seems to weave 
into its (klicatc i)atterns and traceries all the light 
and sunshine of the room, and to give them back 
to us in the warming, quickening good cheer which 
radiates from a table daintily dressed. Its influ- 
ence refines, as all that is chaste and pure must 
refine, and helps to make of mealtime something 
more than merely mastication. Human nature's 
daily food seems to lose something of its gross- 
ness in its snowy setting, and to gain a spiritual 
savor which finds an outlet in " feasts of reason 
and flows of soul." When we have immaculate 
table linen we dine; otherwise we simply eat, 
and there are whole decades of civilization be- 
tween the two. 

LINEN, PAST AND PRESENT 

Linen is a fabric with a past: it clothed the high 
priests of Israel for their sacred offices, and comes 
as a voice from the tombs of Egypt, where it en- 
wraps the mummies of the Pharaohs, telling of a 
skill in weaving so marvelous that even our im- 
proved machinery of to-day can produce nothing 
to approach it. And then it comes on down through 
the centuries to those nearer and dearer days of 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 93 

our grandmothers, when it was spun and woven 
by gentle fingers ; while the halo of romance hovers 
over it even now as the German Hausfrau fills the 
dowry chest of her daughter in anticipation of the 
time when she, in turn, shall become a housewife. 
Small wonder that we love it, and guard jealously 
against a stain on its unblemished escutcheon. 

BLEACHED AND "HALF-BLEACHED" 

Belfast, Ireland, is the home of linen and dam- 
ask. There are manufactories in both Scotland 
and France, but it is in Belfast that the fabric 
attains to the highest perfection, and " Irish linen " 
has come to be synonymous with excellence of de- 
sign and weaving and luster — a most desirable 
trilogy. The prospective purchaser of table linen 
should go to her task fortified with some informa- 
tion on the subject, that she may not find herself 
totally at the mercy of the salesman, who often 
knows little about his line of goods beyond their 
prices. First of all she will probably be asked 
whether she prefers bleached or unbleached dam- 
ask. The latter — called " half-bleach " in trade 
vernacular — is made in Scotland and comes m 
cheap and medium grades alone. Though it lacks 
the choiceness of design and the beauty and fine- 



91 THE COMPLETK IIOMI-: 

Dcss of tlie Belfast Ijleaclied linens, it is good for 
eveiyday wear and (juickly whitens when laid in 
the sun on grass or snow; while the fact that its 
cost is somewhat less than that of the correspond- 
ing quality in the bleached damask, and that it 
w^cars better, recommends it to many. Occasion- 
ally the chemicals used in the bleaching i)rocess are 
made overstrong to hasten whitening, with the re- 
sult that the fibers rot after a while and little cut- 
like cracks appear in the fabric. This is not usual, 
but of course the unbleached damask i^recludes all 
possibility of such an occurrence. One finn in 
Belfast still conscientiouslj'' employs the old grass- 
and-sun system of bleaching, and their damask is 
plainly marked " Old Bleach." The half-bleach is 
sold both by the yard and in patterns. 

DAMASK 

Damask, by the way, takes its name from the 
city of Damascus where the fabric was first made, 
and is simply " linen so woven that a pattern is 
produced by the different directions of the thread," 
plain damask being the same fabric, but uufigured. 
The expression " double damask " need occasion no 
alarm ; it does not imply double cost, a double cloth, 
or double anything except a double, or duplicate, 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 95 

design, produced by the introduction of an extra 
thread so woven in that the figure appears exactly 
the same on both sides of the cloth, making it 
reversible. 

QUALITY 

The next thing will be to decide between buying 
by the yard and buying a pattern cloth in which 
the border continues without a break all the way 
around, adding about ten per cent to the price. The 
desig-ns in both cloths are the same in corresponding 
qualities. We are knights and ladies of the round 
table these days, and cloths woven specially for 
use thereon, with an all-round center design, come 
only in patterns. Cloths of this description are 
used also on square tables, as the wreath effect is 
very decorative. As to the quality of damask, it 
depends not so much upon weight — for the finest 
cloths are by no means the heaviest — as upon the 
size of the threads and the closeness and firmness 
with which they are woven. Avoid the loosely 
woven fabric ; it will neither wear nor look so well 
as the one in which the threads are more compact. 
In the better damasks the threads are smoother and 
finer in finish. 



9fi TUK co.MPLirn: ho.mh 

DESIGN 

Styles in table linens clianp^c from tinio to time 
and render it difficult to say what may or may not 
be used with i)ropriety, except that the general 
Itrincijjle of coarse, heavy-looking designs being in 
poor taste always holds good. One pattern alone 
has proven itself, and stood the test of time so 
satisfactorily that it is as high as ever in the good 
housekeeper's favor, with no prospect of falling 
from grace — our old friend the dainty, modest 
snowdrop, a quiet, unobtrusive little figure in a 
garden array of roses, English violets, lilacs, tulips, 
irises, and poppies — for these are flowery times in 
linens. Occasionally we meet with a scroll or fern 
design, though the latter is gradually falling into 
disuse as being too stiff to twine and weave into 
graceful lines. So true to nature and so exquis- 
itely woven are these posy patterns that they form 
in themselves a most channing table decoration. 
In order to secure perfect reproduction a manu- 
facturer in Belfast has established and maintains 
a greenhouse where his designers draw direct from 
the natural flower. This care is but the outgrowth 
of the more refined living which demands that 
beauty shall walk haud-in-haud with utility. 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 97 

PRICE AND SIZE 

Before our housekeeper starts a-shopping she 
must lock up her zeal for economy lest it lead her 
away from the straight and narrow way of good 
taste into that broader path which leads to the bar- 
gain counter. She may as well make up her mind 
at once that desirable table linen is not cheap, the 
sorts offered at a very low price being neither 
economical nor desirable, and that a cheap cloth 
which cheapens all of its surroundings is dearly 
bought at any price. Occasionally the experienced 
shopper can pick up at a sale of odd-length or 
soiled damasks something which is really a good 
offering, particularly during the annual linen sale 
which falls in January. But as a rule beware of 
bargains ! The fabric is liable to be a " second " 
with some imperfection, or to contain a thread of 
cotton which gives it a rough look when laundered, 
and there is generally a shortage in width — which 
suggests the advisability of measuring the table 
top before buying, for cloths come in different 
widths, and one which is too narrow looks out- 
grown and awkward and — stingy! The average 
table is about 4 feet across, and requires a cloth 
2 yards square, though in buying by the yard it 



98 THE COMPLETE HOME 

is safe to allow an extra (|uartc'r for straighten- 
ing the edges and hemming. The cloth should 
hang at least a foot below the edge of the table, 
with an increase of half a yard in length for each 
additional table leaf. A cloth 2 yards square will 
seat four people ; 2 by 2|, six ; 2 by 3, eight ; 2 by 
3|, ten ; and 2 by 4, twelve. A wider table calls for 
a half or a quarter of a yard more in the width of 
the cloth, at some little additional cost, as fewer 
cloths in extra widths are made or called for. 
Usually a good pattern runs through three quali- 
ties of table linen, with napkins in two sizes to 
match — 22-inch for breakfast and luncheon use, 
and 24-inch for dinner. These are the standard 
sizes most generally used, though napkins are 
to be had both larger and smaller. A napkin 
should be soft and pliable, and large enough to 
cover the knees well. Prices on all-linen bleached 
satin damask pattern cloths, with accompanying 
napkins, are about as appear in the list on the 
opiDOsite page: 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 

Cloths. 



99 



Good Quality. 


Better. 


Extra Good. 


3x3 yards, each |2.00-|2.75 


$3.50 


14.50-15.25 


2 X 3i * 




2.50- 


3.50 


4.50 


5.75- 6.75 


3x3 ' 




' 3.00- 


4.25 


5.25 


6.75- 8.00 


3 X 3i ' 




' 3.50- 


4.85 


6.25 


8.00- 9.25 


3x4 ' 




4.00- 


5.50 


7.00 


9.00-10.75 


2J X 2i ' 




2.90- 


3.75 


4.50 


6.00- 7.75 


2i X 2i ' 




4.25- 


4.50 


5.25 


7.50- 8.75 


3i X 3 ' 




5.00- 


5.50 


6.25 


9.00-10.50 


2i X 3i ' 




6.25- 


6.50 


7.50 


10.50-12.25 


3i X 4 ' 




7.00- 




8.50 


12.00-14.00 


2i X 4i ' 

3i X 5 

2f X 3f ' 










13.50-14.75 








15.00-17.50 






11.00-13.00 


3x3 








15.00-16.00 


86 X 90 inches, ' 


3.50 








86 X 108 " 


4.25 








86 X 126 " 


5.00 








86 X 144 " 


5.75 









Napkins. 



22 X 22 inches, dozen |2.50-$3.00 


$3.75 


$5.00- 


$5.50 


23 X 23 " " 3.00 .... 


5.25 


7.00- 


7.50 


24 X 24 " " 3.00- 3.75 








25 X 25 " " 3.50 .... 


5.25 






27 X 27 " " 6.25- 7.50 










The 3X3 yards cloth is called a hanquet cloth, 
and is one for which the average housekeeper 
would have little use. 

NECESSARY SUPPLY 

The amount of table linen to be bought for the 
first " fitting out " depends upon the fatness of the 
pocketbook and the room available for stowing it 



LOFa 



100 Till': co.Mi'Li/ri: iiomh 

away. Since there are so many other expenses at 
this time the best way will pi-ohalily l)e to buy all 
that will be needed for a year, and then add to it 
one or two cloths with their ua])kins each succeed- 
ing year. Three cloths of the right length for 
everj'day use, and one long "family-gathering" 
cloth, witli a dozen napkins to match each, will Ije 
a good start. If the special-occasion cloth seems 
to be too costly, two short cloths of duplicate pat- 
tern can be substituted for it, the centerpiece and 
a clever arrangement of decorations hiding the 
joining. If table linen is to be stored away and 
not used for some time after its purchase, the 
dressing which it contains must be thoroughly 
washed out, else the chemicals are liable to rot the 
fabric. It is advisable, too, to put not-to-be-used 
damask away rough-dry, othei'wise it may crack 
in the folds. The use of colored table linens is in 
the worst possible taste, except on the servants' 
table. Those flaming ferocities known as " turkey- 
red " cloths, which seem to fairly fly at one, are 
not only inartistic but altogether too suggestive 
of economy in laundering to be appetizing table 
companions. 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 101 

PLAIN, HEMSTITCHED, OR DRAWN 

Cloths bought by the yard must be evened at 
the ends by drawing a thread, and hemmed by hand, 
never stitched on the machine. The inch hem of 
a few years ago has been superseded by the very 
narrow one which is always in good taste, regard- 
less of style. Napkins come by the piece and must 
be divided and hemmed on two sides, rubbing well 
between the hands first to remove the stiffness. 
There is nothing handsomer or more elegant than 
the fine, hemmed table linen, but if a hemstitched 
cloth is desired, or one containing some drawn- 
work design, it is better to buy the material and 
do the work oneself; otherwise, the expense goes 
into the work, not the linen, and the cost is usually 
about double that of the same cloth plainly finished. 
Hemstitching and fancy work are appropriate only 
on cloths for the luncheon table, which may be of 
either plain or figured damask, or of heavy linen, 
which is often effectively combined with Batten- 
berg and linen laces. Neither drawn work nor 
hemstitching wears well, drawing the threads seem- 
ing to weaken the fabric. Very pretty luncheon 
cloths can be purchased in different sizes for $1.50, 
$1.75, $2.00, $2.75, etc., according to size, material, 
and elaboration, with accompanying napkins, 18 by 



102 THE rOMTLETK HOME 

18 inches, for $2.50 or more a dozen. A cloth just 
the size ol' tlu* tal)lL' lop is a convciiiont Innclioon 
size. These cloths save much wear on the large 
cloths, and laundry work as well. 

DOILIES AND TABLE DRESSING 

The pretty present-day fashion of using indi- 
vidual plate doilies on a polished taljle at break- 
fast and luncheon is also labor-saving. The plate 
doilies, either square, oval, or round, and of plain 
damask or smooth, closely woven, rather heavy 
linen, are hemstitched or finished with a jDadded 
scallop worked with white cotton. The round 
doily is most used, and offers a delightful field to 
the worker in over-and-over embroidery for the 
display of her skill. Linen lace combinations are 
also used, but they are rather for dress-up than 
for daily use. The plate doilies should be at least 
9 inches wide, with smaller corresponding ones 
on which to set the glass of water or the hot cup, 
and an extra one or two for small dishes for rel- 
ishes and the like that may be kept on the table, etc. 
They can be bought for 25 cents a piece and up- 
ward, but the average housekeeper enjoys making 
her own, taking them for " pick-up " work. Small 
fringed napkins are also used in the same way, 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 103 

and for tray covers, but fringe soon grows to look 
" dog-eared," and mats in the laundering. Still 
another dressing for the bare table is the long 
hemstitched linen strip, 12 inches wide, which runs 
the length of the table, hanging over the end, and 
is crossed at the middle by a second strip extend- 
ing over the sides, two strips thus seating four 
people. When six are to be seated the cross-piece 
is moved to one side and a third corresponding 
strip iDlaced about 18 inches from it. 

The list of table linen is incomplete without a 
damask carving cloth to match each tablecloth, 
which it protects from spatterings from the platter„ 
This also may be fashioned of plain linen, should 
be about three-quarters of a yard wide and a yard 
long, and either hemstitched or scalloped — em- 
broidered, too, if one cares to put that much energy 
into work which will show so little. And then there 
must be some doilies to overlay the Canton-flan- 
nel-covered asbestos mats for use under hot dishes. 

CENTERPIECES 

Styles in centerpieces are fleeting ; just now all- 
white holds sway, and of a surety there is nothing 
daintier. Although pretty centers can be pur- 
chased all the way up from $1, here again the mis- 



UH TUK COMPLETE lIOMi: 

tress's industrious fingers come into play, for there 
is a certain unbuyable satisfaction in working a 
little of one's very self into the table adornment, 
and really handsome centerpieces are quite expen- 
sive. They run in sizes from 12 to 45 inches. The 
center with doilies to match is pretty and desirable. 
It is quite as easy to arrange them in this way as 
to gather in an ill-assorted, mismated collection. 
Those for daily use should be rather simple and of 
a quality which will not suffer from frequent inter- 
course with the washtub. 

MONOGRAMS 

The fashion of embroidering monograms on 
table linen must be handled with care ; the working 
over-and-over of the padded letters with fine cotton 
thread is a nice task which requires experience and 
skill. The cloth monograms are from 2 to 3 inches 
high and are placed at one side of the center, 
toward the corner. Either the full monogram or 
an initial is appropriate in the corner of the nap- 
kin, and to be in the best taste should never be 
more than an inch high. These letters are either 
plain, in circlets, or surrounded with ininning vines, 
and add that distinction to the napeiy which hand- 
work always imparts. 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 105 

CARE OF TABLE LINEN 

Table linen, like friendship, must be kept con- 
stantly in repair. Look out for the thin places and 
darn before they have a chance to wear through. 
Ravelings from the cloth should be kept for this 
purpose. A carefully applied patch or darn is 
scarcely noticeable after laundering. The hardest 
wear comes where the cloth hangs over the edge 
of the table, at head and foot. When it begins to 
be thin at these places cut off one end at the worn 
point, if the cloth is sufficiently long to warrant it, 
and hem the raw edge. This draws the other worn 
place well up on the table where the friction is 
much less, considerably lengthening the life of the 
cloth. The cut-off end may be converted into 
fringed napkins, on which to lay croquettes, fried 
potatoes, etc., doilies for bread and cake plates, 
children's napkins, or tray covers. Old table linen 
passes through several stages of decline before it 
becomes absolutely useless; when too much worn 
for table purposes it enwraps our bread and cake 
and strains our jellies, and when at last it has won 
the well-earned rest of age, it still waits in neat 
rolls to bandage our cuts and bruises. 



1()(J TIIK co.mpm'/im: iio.mh 

HOW TO LAUNDER 

There is a saying tliat " Old linen wliitens best," 
to which we might also add that it looks best, gain- 
ing additional smoothness and gloss with each 
laundering. Table linen should never dry on the 
line, but be brought in while still damp, very care- 
fully folded, and ironed bone-dry, with abundant 
" elbowgrease." This is the only way to give it 
a " satin gloss." Never use starch. The pieces 
should be folded evenly and carefully, with but one 
crease — down the middle — and not checker-boarded 
with dozens of lines. Centers and large doilies are 
best disposed of by rolling over a round stick well 
padded. 

TABLE PADS 

Much wear and tear on both table and cloth 
is prevented by the use of a double-faced Canton- 
flannel pad, which prevents the cloth from cutting 
through on the edges, gives it bod}', softens the 
clatter of the dishes, and absorbs liquids. It comes 
in 1^- and l^-yard widths and sells for 65 to 85 
cents a yard. Pads of asbestos are also used, but 
are far more expensive. It is a good plan to have 
two if possible — one for use on the everyday table, 
and a longer one to cover the family-gathering 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 107 

table. Covers for the sideboard and any small 
table used in the dining room are of hemstitched 
or scalloped linen, either plain or embroidered — 
never ruffled or fluffy. 

READY-MADE BED LINEN 

Buying bed linen is not so very serious a mat- 
ter. Drygoods stores offer sheets and pillowcases 
ready made to fit any sized bed or pillow at prices 
little, if any, greater than the cost of those made at 
home. Merchants say that they sell one hundred 
sheets ready made to one by the yard, which speaks 
well, not for their goods alone, but for the spirit 
of housewifely economy which maintains that labor 
saved is time and strength earned. Moreover, the 
deluded seeker after bed beauty who wastes her 
precious hours in hemstitching sheets and pillow- 
cases — cotton ones at that — is a reckless spend- 
thrift, and needs a course in the economics of 
common sense. Nothing is more desirable than 
the simple elegance of the plain, broad hem, nor 
more disheartening than hemstitching which has 
broken from its moorings while the rest of the 
sheet is still perfectly good — a way it has. Hem- 
stitching may answer on linen sheets which are not 
in constant use, but ordinarily let us have the more 



lOS THE COMTLKTi: HOME 

})rofitablo ]i1;iiiin('ss. (Jood sheets are always torn 
— not cut — and finislicd with a lil- or o-incli liern 
at the top and an inch hem at the bottom, tlie fin- 
islied sheet measuring not less than 2^ yards. 
There must be ample length to turn back well over 
the blankets and to tuck in at the foot, for it is a 
most irritating sensation to waken in the night 
with the w^ool tickling one's toes and scratching 
one's chin. Sheets are to be had in varying widths 
to suit different sized beds. 

PRICE AND QUALITY 

The 2^-yard length in an average sheet of 
good quality costs 90 cents for a double bed, 75 
cents for a three-quarter bed, and 45 cents for a 
single bed, with hemstitched sheets of correspond- 
ing quality at the same price. It is hardly worth 
while to pay more than this, while very good sheets 
are to be had for 75 cents, with a decrease in price 
as the width decreases. Half-bleach double-bed 
sheets of good quality cost 85 and 70 cents, and so 
on, and are more especially for servants' beds. 
They are popularly supposed to outwear the 
bleached, but are somewhat trying bedfellows until 
whitened. 

Plain or hemstitched pillowcases cost from 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 109 

25 to 75 cents a pair, each additional width rais- 
ing the price 5 cents. The average or sleeping-size 
pillow is 22^ by 36| inches, and calls for a case 
enough larger to slip on easily, but not loose nor 
long enough to hang over the sides of the bed. If 
pillows of different sizes are in use their cases 
should be numbered. 

Bed linen should be finnly woven, with a thread 
rather coarse than fine. The amount purchased 
must be regulated by the number of beds to be 
furnished, allowing three sheets and three pairs of 
cases to each. The supply can always be easily 
added to, but if expedient for any reason to buy in 
large quantities, set apart enough to supply all the 
beds and keep the rest in reserve, otherwise it will 
all give out at once. If the housewife is so unfor- 
tunately situated that she is forced to make her 
own bed linen, she wiU do well to buy her material 
by the piece — 40 to 50 yards. All hems can be run 
on the machine. 

REAL LINEN 

Though not everyone likes the " feel " of linen, 
most housekeepers are ambitious to include a cer- 
tain amount with their other bed linens, for use in 
the summer or during illness, because of its non- 
absorbent qualities. Sheets cost $3, $3.50, $4, $5, 



110 THE roMri,i;ri: iiomi-: 

$(), and on uj) to $17, tlic more expensive ones 
being embellished with lienislitching, scallops, or 
lace. Pillowcases to ('oires])ond sell at from $1.25 
up. Linen for this jjurjjose is always bleached, 
the 90-inch sheeting being $1 to $3 a yard, the 
45-iiR*li pillowcasing 50 cents to $1.50 a yard, 
and 50-inch casing 75 cents to $2 a yard, liidi- 
high monograms or letters may be emljroidered in 
white at the middle of sheets and pillowcases, just 
above the hem. When sheets wear thin down the 
center, tear and " turn," whipping the selvages to- 
gether and hemming the torn edges, which become 
the new edges of the sheet. Old bed linen makes 
the finest kind of cleaning cloths, and should be 
folded neatly away for that purpose, sheets being 
resei'ved for the ironing board. 

SUGGESTIONS ABOUT TOWELS 

Towels are best purchased by the dozen, huck 
of Irish bleached linen being best for all-around 
use. These have good absorbent qualities, plain or 
hemstitched hems, measure from 18 by 3G inches to 
24 by 42 inches, and cost from $2,50 to $6 a dozen. 
Some of these are " Old Bleach " linen, and there- 
fore both desirable and durable. Pass by towels 
with colored borders; the colored part is always 



HOUSEHOLD LINEN 111 

cotton, and is in poor taste anyway. Some buck 
towels have damask borders; other towels are of 
all-damask, costing from $6 to $12 a dozen, but 
buck is the stand-by. Fringed towels, of course, 
are not to be considered for a moment. Each 
member of the family should have his own indi- 
vidual towel, or set of towels, distinguished by 
some mark, particularly children, who find it hard 
to learn that towels are for drying, not cleansing, 
purposes. Those for their use may be smaller and 
cheaper. Turkish or bath towels are of either 
cotton or linen, the latter being more for friction 
purposes and costing $6 to $12 a dozen. The cotton 
absorbs better and is most generally used for the 
bath. Good values in towels of this kind are to be 
had for $2.50, $2.85, $3, and $4.50 a dozen. Good 
crash face cloths cost 5 cents and even less. 

Household linens must include, too, the 6 barred- 
linen kitchen towels at 10, 12, or 15 cents a yard, 
for drying silver and glass ; and 6 heavier towels, 
either barred or crash, for china and other ware, 
at the same price, with 3 roller towels at 10 cents 
per yard ; while last, but by no means least, come 
the dozen neatly hemmed cheesecloth dusters at 
5 cents a yard, for men must work and women must 
sweep — and dust ! 



CIIAPTEli VI 



THE KITCHEN 



THE old condition of " Queen- Anne-in-the- 
front-and-Mary-Ann-in-the-back " in the 
home furnishing, when the largest outlay 
of money and taste was i)ut into the " front room " 
and the kitchen took the hindermost, has gradually 
given way before the fact that a woman is known, 
not by the drawing-room, but by the kitchen, she 
keeps. Given the requisite qualifications for the 
proper furnishing, care, and ordering of her 
kitchen, and it can usually be said of her with truth 
that she is mistress of the entire home-making and 
home-keeping situation. If any one room in the 
home was conceived solely for the relief of man's 
estate, that room is the kitchen, and it has supplied 
the energy which has sent forth many a one to 
fight a winning battle with the world, the flesh, and 
the devil; and while it is, alas, too true that it is 
the rock upon which many a domestic ship has gone 
to pieces, it is the true foundation of the home and, 

11-3 



THE KITCHEN 113 

therefore, of the nation. Wherefore let ns tirst 
look well to our kitchens and then live up to them. 

THE PLAN 

The kitchen of our grandmothers was a large, 
rambling affair, with numerous storerooms, closets, 
and pantries, the care of which involved a stupen- 
dous outlay of time and strength. But the demands 
of our modern and more strenuous life necessitate 
strict economy of both, and the result is a kitchen 
sufficiently large for all practical purposes, with 
every space utilized and everything convenient to 
the hand. The amount of woodwork is reduced 
to a minimum, since wood is a harboring place for 
insects and germs. Where it must be used it is of 
hard wood, or of pine jDainted and varnished, the 
varnish destroying those qualities in paint which 
are deleterious to health. The plumbing must be 
open, with no dark corners in which dust may hide. 
Odors from cooking pass out through a register 
in the chimney, and ventilation is afforded by 
transom and window. Blessed indeed is the kitchen 
with opposite windows, which insure a perfect cir- 
culation of air. So much for the general working 
plan. 



Hi Tin: ( o.Mri.i/rK tiomi: 

LOCATION AND FINISH 

For some reason best known to themselves 
arc'liitects almost invariably give to the kitchen the 
location with the least agreeable outlook, sun and 
scenery being seemingly designed for the exclusive 
use of living and dining rooms; whereas the house- 
keeper realizes the great value of the sun as an 
aid to sanitation and as a soul strengthener, and 
wishes that its beneficent influence might be shed 
over kitchen, cook, and cookery. But the frequent 
impossibility of this oniy increases the necessity 
for simulating sunshine within, and so we select 
cream w^hite, warm, light grays or browns, In- 
dian rod, or bronze green — which is jiarticularly 
good with oak woodwork — for walls and ceilings. 
AVaterproof paper may be used, but is not particu- 
larly durable. Far better is the enameled paint, 
requiring three coats, or painted burlap. Or our 
thoughts may tuni with longing to a white-tiled 
kitchen, with its air of spotless purity, but, too 
often, " beyond the reach of you and me," Why 
not substitute for it the white marbled oilcloth 
which produces much the same effect, and can be 
smoothly fitted if a little glue is added to the paste 
with which it is i)ut on? A combination of white 



THE KITCHEN 115 

woodwork with blue walls and ceiling is charming, 
particularly where the blue-enameled porcelain- 
lined cooking utensils are used, and the same idea 
can be carried out in the floor covering. White 
with yellow is also dainty. Calcimine is not de- 
sirable in the kitchen, as it cannot be cleaned and 
is, therefore, unsanitary. Two tablespoonfuls of 
kerosene added to the cleaning water will keep 
woodwork, walls, and ceilings fresh and glossy. A 
long-handled mopholder fitted with a coarse car- 
riage sponge will facilitate the cleaning of the 
latter. 

THE FLOOR 

Despite the fact that we are enjoined to " look 
up, not down," the floor seems to be the focal point 
to anyone entering the kitchen, and it becomes a 
source of pride or humiliation to the occupant ac- 
cording to its condition. A beautiful, snowy hard- 
wood floor, " clean enough to eat on," is a delight, 
but it has such an insatiable appetite for spots after 
the newness has worn off that it requires frequent 
scrubbing — twice a week at least — and on a dry 
day, if possible, with doors and windows opened 
during the operation, all of which means energ}^ 
misapplied. To be sure, the new " colonial " cotton- 



iin THE ("oMrM/ri: iiomh 

rn^ ni^s, woven in liaiiiiony witli the general color 
scheme, protect the floor and helj) to relieve the 
strain of much standing, and can be washed and 
dried as satisfactorily as any i)iec'e of cotton cloth ; 
while raw oil, applied with a soft cloth or a hand- 
ful of waste every two mouths, will keep the floor 
in good condition. But the housekeeper who 
chooses the better part covers her floor with lino- 
leum at comparatively small cost, a piece good 
both in quality and design selling at 60 cents a 
square yard. In this, too, the color idea can be 
carried out, the smaller designs being preferable. 
Neutral tints follow wood-carpeting designs, are 
neat, and less apt to soil than the lighter pat- 
terns. It is a wise plan in buying to allow enough 
linoleum for three smaller pieces to be placed be- 
fore stove, table, and sink, thus saving wear and 
tear on the large piece. Thus covered, the floor 
is easily cleaned with a damj) cloth. It must be 
thoroughly swept once a day, followed by a general 
dusting of the room, with brushings up between 
times. 

THE WINDOWS 

Kitchen windows must be washed once a week — 
oftener in fly time. A daintj^ valance, or sash cur- 
tains of muslin, dimity, or other summer wash 



THE KITCHEN 117 

goods, give an attractive and homey toucli to the 
room. Each window should have a shade with a 
double fixture, fastened at the middle of the case- 
ment and adjusted upward and below from that 
point. 

THE SINK 

The sink, unless it is porcelain-lined, should be 
kept well painted and enameled, white being pref- 
erable to any color. Faucets can be kept bright 
by rubbing with whiting and alcohol, followed by 
a vigorous polishing with a bit of flannel. It surely 
cannot be necessary to suggest the dangers arising 
from an untidy sink in which refuse of various 
kinds — tea leaves, coffee grounds, vegetable par- 
ings, and the like — is allowed to accumulate. Un- 
sanitary conditions about the sink not only are 
unsightly, but attract roaches and breed germs 
which are a menace to life and health. The rinsing 
water from coffee and tea pots and cooking uten- 
sils should be poured into the sink strainer, which 
catches the odds and ends of refuse and keeps them 
from clogging the drain pipe. Grease must never 
be poured into the sink, nor dish nor cleaning cloths 
used after they are worn enough to shed lint. Boil- 
ing water and ammonia should be poured down 



lis TIIK COMPLKTi: IIO.Mi: 

the (liaiii jiipc once a (ia\ , wliicli Iroatmcnt must 
be sui)i)leiiieiite(l once a week willi a dose of dis- 
iufectaut — chloride of lime, eoi)i)eras, or potash 
in boiling water. An occasional inspection by a 
])himber makes assurance doubly sure tliat the con- 
dition of the drain ])ipe is as it should be. All 
refuse ought to be burned at once or jtut into a 
covered garbage can and disposed of as soon as 
possible. The can itself must be scalded everj^ 
day with sal soda water, thoroughly dried, and 
lined with thick, clean pa])er. 

THE PANTRY 

The same treatment accorded the kitchen in 
decoration and care must be bestowed also upon 
the pantry, which should be dry and well ventilated. 
After a thorough scrubbing with soap and water, 
with the aid of a dish mop rinse the shelves with 
boiling water, diy carefully, and cover with plain 
white paper, using the ornamental shelf paper for 
the edges. White table oilcloth makes a good cov- 
ering, and comes specially jirepared with a fancy 
border for that purpose. The convenient pantry 
is equipped with both shelves and drawers, the 
latter to contain the neatly folded piles of dish, 
glass, and hand towels, cheesecloth dusters, hold- 



THE KITCHEN 119 

ers, and cleaning cloths. There are usually four 
shelves, the top one being reserved for articles of 
infrequent use. On the others are arranged the 
kitchen dishes, pans, and all utensils which do not 
hang, together with jars and cans containing food. 
Leave nothing in paper bags or boxes to attract 
insects, soil the shelves, and give a disorderly ap- 
pearance to an otherwise tidy pantry. Glass fruit 
jars are desirable repositories for small dry gro- 
ceries — tea, coffee, rice, tapioca, raisins, currants, 
and the like — though very dainty and serviceable 
covered porcelain jars in blue and white are made 
especially for this purpose, those of medium size 
costing 25 cents each, the smaller ones less, the 
larger more. Jars or cans of japanned tin, de- 
signed for like use, are less expensive, but also less 
attractive, and in the course of time are liable to 
rust, particularly in summer, or where the climate 
is at all damp. The shelves should be wiped off 
and regulated once a week, and crockery and uten- 
sils kept as bright and shining as plenty of soap 
and hot water can make them. The pantry requires 
special care during the summer, when dust and 
flies are prone to corrupt its spotlessness. A wall 
pocket hung on the door will be found a convenient 
dropping place for twine, scissors, and papers. 



l.^O TIIK COMIM-l/l 1. IIOMI: 

INSECTS AND THTIR EXTERMINATION 

It is not just ])I(>asant to associate cockroaches 
and ants with our kitchens and pantries, but where 
heat and moisture and food are, there insects will 
be also, for they seem to enjoy a taste of high life 
and to thrive on it. Keep the house clean, dry, and 
well aired, and all dish and cleaning cloths sweet 
and fresh by washing and drying immediately after 
use, with a weekly boiling in borax water ; dispose 
carefully of all food, and then wage a war of ex- 
termination. This is all that will avail in an insect- 
infested house. Hunt out, if possible, the nests 
or breeding places of ants and saturate with boiling 
water or with kerosene. Wash all woodwork, 
shelves, and drawers with carbolic-acid water and 
inject it into any crack or opening where the pests 
appear. It has been suggested that ants caji be 
kept out of drawers and closets by a " dead line " 
drawn with a brush dipped in corrosive sublimate 
one ounce, muriate of ammonia two ounces, and 
water one pint, while a powder of tartar emetic, 
dissolved in a saucer of water, seems to be effective 
in driving them away. Sponges wet with sweet- 
ened water attract them in large numbers, and 
when full should be plunged in boiling water. 



THE KITCHEN 121 

Another successful " trap " is a plate thinly spread 
with lard, this also to be dropped into boiling water 
when filled. In order to protect the table from an 
invasion stand the legs in dishes of tar water to a 
depth of four inches. Ants have a decided distaste 
for the odors of pennyroyal and oil of cedar, a few 
drops of either on bits of cotton frequently sufficing 
to drive them away entirely. As for cockroaches, 
there appear to be almost as many " extermina- 
tors " as there are housewives ; but what is their 
poison in one home seems to make them wax and 
grow fat in another. Borax and powdered sugar, 
scattered thickly over shelves and around base- 
boards and sink, is a favorite remedy with many, 
but it is an unsightly mess, particularly in summer, 
when the sugar melts and becomes sticky. After 
all, experience has demonstrated that the one really 
effectual method of extermination is to besiege the 
roaches in their own bailiwick — the pipes and 
woodwork about the sink — with a large bellows 
filled with a good, reliable insect powder. Exit 
roaches ! 

THE REFRIGERATOR AND ITS CARE 

The refrigerator may or may not stand in the 
pantry, according to convenience, or as there is 



i^^2 TiiK COM ri. 1/11 : iioMi: 

st'wor connection for it. Sdinc authorities uiain- 
taiii tluit tliere is grave danger from sewer gas 
where the refrigerator is connected directly with 
the sewer, and that, tlierefore, the only safe way 
to dispose of the waste water is to catch it in a pan 
placed beneath the refrigerator, unless the house 
is so built that the waste pipe can be continued 
down into the cellar and there empty its contents 
into a sink. A good, zinc-lined refrigerator, inter- 
lined with charcoal, with a hundred-pound capacity, 
a removable ice pan, which facilitates cleaning, and 
three shelves, is to be had for $16.50. In selecting 
a refrigerator it is well to choose one of medium 
size, as a larger one entails waste of ice, while a 
smaller necessitates the placing near together of 
foods which should be kept apart, as butter and 
milk with fish, fruit, etc. If one cares to invest in 
the higher-priced refrigerators, of course those 
lined with tile, porcelain, or enamel are very de- 
sirable, as they are easily kept clean and do not 
absorb odors. But for the average income and use, 
a first-class zinc-lined refrigerator answers every 
purpose. It should be thoroughly cleansed, on the 
mornings when the ice is to be renewed, with hot 
sal soda water followed by a cold bath and a thor- 
ough drying. The drain pipe must not be over- 



THE KITCHEN 123 

looked, but given the same sal soda treatment, 
otherwise it becomes coated and a fruitful source of 
germs. If, after this has been done, a musty odor 
still clings about the refrigerator, remove the 
shelves and boil in the clothes boiler for twenty 
minutes. Pieces of charcoal placed in the corners 
of the refrigerator and frequently renewed will 
absorb much of the odor. Never place warm food 
in the refrigerator, nor food of any kind on the 
shelves, unless it is first placed on a plate or platter. 
It is economy to keep the ice chamber well filled, 
and all ice should be well washed before being 
placed therein. Some housekeepers cover the ice 
with newspapers or carpet. This no doubt helps to 
preserve it, but it also keeps the cold from the food 
chambers. No food and nothing containing it 
should ever be placed directly on the ice. 

FURNISHING THE KITCHEN 

And now, having cleaned and decorated our 
kitchen and pantry, and provided for the refrigera- 
tion and partial disposal of our food, suppose we 
turn our attention to the fascinating task of select- 
ing the ditferent parts of the machinery which 
turns out that finished masterpiece — a perfect meal 
— bearing in mind in the meantime that the saying. 



\'.ll Tin: COMl'LETE Ilo.Mi: 

" .Vrt is the exinx'ssioii dl" Joy in one's work,'' ap- 
})lies to nothing more truly than to tlie art of cook- 
ery, mid that no tools necessary to its jjcrfect suc- 
cess nor to her comfort and convenience should be 
denied that master artist, the cook. Ije she mistress 
or maid. 

THE STOVE 

Of paramount importance is, of course, the 
stove, and what kind it shall be, whether gas, coal, 
or oil. Those of us who have grown accustomed 
to the immunity from those inevitable accompani- 
ments of a coal range, ashes, soot, dust, and heat, 
afforded by the gas range, with its easily regulated 
broiler and oven, could hardly be persuaded to go 
back to first principles, as it were, and the coal 
range. But when this is necessary, either for 
warmth or because there is no gas connection in the 
house, one has a wide choice of first-class stoves 
and can hardly go astray in selecting one. Twenty- 
one dollars will buy a good, durable stove with all 
modern improvements and a large oven. A stove 
with the same capacity but manufactured under a 
world-famous name sells for $32, while between 
the two in price is one at $28. Two firms manu- 
facture, in connection with their regular line of 



THE KITCHEN 125 

ranges, a three-plate gas stove which can be at- 
tached directly to the range, and sells for $6. A 
portable steel oven, covering two burners, for use 
on gas and oil stoves alike, adds to the convenience 
of the gas plate, and sells for $2. If a gas range 
is desired, an excellent one with a large oven, 
broiler, and all conveniences may be purchased 
for $18, one with a smaller oven for $15. It 
might be well to suggest in passing that a small 
oven is poor economy. "Water backs, for both gas 
and coal ranges, are $3.50 each. Where gas is un- 
obtainable a three-burner wickless oil-stove plate 
will be found to give very good satisfaction, and 
can be placed on the coal range or on a table or 
box. The range of the same capacity is $1 more, 
with an increase in price corresponding with the 
number of burners, until we have the five-burner 
stove at $11. To do away with the odor which is 
apt to result from the use of oil as fuel, remove 
the burners, boil in sal soda water, dry thoroughly, 
and return to the stove. In setting up a stove look 
carefully to it that the height is right, otherwise 
the cook's back is sure to suffer. If too low, blocks 
can be placed under the legs to raise it to a com- 
fortable height. A whisk broom hung near the 
stove is useful in removing crumbs, dust, etc., and 



1 :>!()■ THE coMPLF/n: iioMi: 

kccjiiiiij: it tidy. A I'Mck licliind the stove, on wliicli 
to lijiiiu- tlic spoons and forks usod in cooking, is 
a great convenience and a saving to the table top. 

THE TABLE AND ITS CARE 

The ta})le sliould stand on casters and be placed 
in a good light as far from the stove as may be. 
The latest product of the manufacturer's genius 
in this line contains two drawers — one spaced off 
into compartments for the different knives, forks, 
and spoons for kitchen use — a molding board, and 
three zinc-lined bins, one large one for wheat flour, 
and two smaller one for graham flour, corn meal, 
etc. When one considers the economy of steps be- 
tween kitchen and pantry which it makes possible, 
its price, $6.75, is not large, while it obviates the 
necessity for purchasing bins and molding board. 
Our friend, the white table oilcloth, tacked smoothly 
in place, gives a dainty top which is easily kept 
clean with a damp cloth — another labor-saving de- 
vice, which stands between cook and scrubbing 
brush. A zinc table cover is joreferred by some 
housewives, as it absorbs no grease and is readily 
brightened with scouring soap and hot water. 
Separate zinc-covered table ttps can be had for 
$1.50. The marble-topi)ed table is not desirable, 



THE KITCHEN 127 

for, though it undoubtedly is an aid to the making 
of good pastry, it stains easily, dissolves in some 
acids, and clogs with oils. The easiest way to keep 
the table clean and neat is simply to — keep it so. 
When the mixing of cake, pudding, etc., is in 
process, a large bowl should be near at hand, and 
into it should go egg beater, spoons, and forks 
when the cook is through using them, after which 
they, with all other soiled utensils, should be car- 
ried to the sink, washed, dried, and put away. 
Never lay eggshells upon the table nor allow any- 
thing to dry on the utensils. If, as occasionally 
happens even in the best-regulated kitchens, one 
is baking in too great a hurry to observe all these 
precautions, a heavy paper spread on the table 
will catch all the droppings and can be rolled up 
and burned. Jars containing sugar, spices, etc., 
which have been in use, should be wiped with a 
damp cloth before returning to the pantry. 

THE CHAIRS 

The first aid to the cook should be at least one 
comfortable chair, neither a rocking chair nor one 
upholstered, both of which are out of place in the 
kitchen ; but one low enough to rest in easily while 
shelling peas or doing some of the numerous tasks 



kj.s Tin: roMViAvn: iio.mi: 

\vliic'li do not require the use of tlie taljle. A cliair 
of this kind has a cane seat and high back and can 
])v imrchased for $1.25, tlie otlici- ciiair to Ix' of 
the regulation kitclien style at 55 cents. The second 
aid is a 24-inch office stool at 85 cents, for use while 
washing dishes, preparing vegetables, etc. This 
sort of a stool is light, easily moved about, and 
means a great saving in strength. Though it has 
sometimes been dubbed a " nuisance " by tlie un- 
initiated, the woman who has learned its value 
finds it a very present hel^j and wonders how she 
ever did without it. 

THE KITCHEN CABINET 

Occasionally it happens that a house is built 
with such slight regard for pantry room that we 
are constrained to wonder if, at the last minute, the 
pantry was not tucked into a little space for whicji 
there was absolutely no other use, and there left to 
be a means of grace to the thrifty housewife, whose 
pride it is to see her pots and pans in orderly 
array and with plcnt>^ of room to shine in. At 
this point there comes to her rescue the kitchen 
cabinet, which not only relieves the congestion in 
the pantiy, but adds in no small measure to the 
attractiveness of the kitchen. These cabinets come 



THE KITCHEN 129 

in the natural woods, and should, as nearly as pos- 
sible, match the woodwork of the kitchen. Many 
have the satin finish which renders them imper- 
vious to grease, and all are fitted out with molding 
boards, shelves, cupboards, and drawers of various 
sizes. So convenient is a cabinet of this kind, and 
so economical of steps, that it might well be called 
" the complete housewife." First and foremost, it 
accommodates the kitchen dishes, plates, platters, 
and saucers, standing on edge of course, with cups 
hanging from small hooks, and pitchers, bowls, 
etc., variously arranged. Then come the jars of 
spice, sugar, salt, tea, and coffee — all groceries, 
in fact, which are in most frequent use. Where 
the decorative design in both jars and dishes is 
carried out in the blue and white, with a utensil or 
two of the same coloring, the effect is truly charm- 
ing, though this is, of course, a matter of individual 
taste. The cupboards are handy hiding places for 
the less ornamental bottles, brushes, etc., while the 
base, which is really nothing more nor less than 
a very complete kitchen table, usually has a shelf 
for kettles, stone jars, etc. A good cabinet can 
be had for $10, a more commodious one for $16, 
and so on. The cabinets without bases range from 
a tiny one, just large enough to hold six spice jars, 



ISO Tin: (OMPLKTK HOME 

at $1, to Olio, with live drawers, sliclves, and 
c'liplidards willi <j:lass doors, I'or jfli. Any price 
beyond this simply means elaboration oi' design 
without additional increase oi" capacity or con- 
venience. 

KITCHEN UTENSILS 

In selecting dishes and cooking utensils it is 
well to remember that cheapness does not always 
spell economy, and that one buys not alone for the 
present, but for the future as well. Utensils which 
require scouring are not economical, either, for 
scouring is friction, and " friction means loss of 
energy." Scouring has gone out with the heavy 
ironware which required it, in whose stead we 
have the pretty porcelain enamel ware and the 
less expensive agate ware, both of which need only 
a thorough washing in hot, soapy water, rinsing in 
boiling water, and careful drying. Ware of this 
kind helps to produce the kitchen restful, and 
so, indirectly, the cook rested. A well-cared-for 
kitchen is always more or less attractive, but why 
not make it rather more so than less? Taste and 
haiTnony add nothing to the expense of furnish- 
ing, and there is a certain dignity and inspiration, 
as well as satisfaction, in being able to " bring 



THE KITCHEN 131 

forth butter in a lordly dish." Kitchen crockery 
is being rapidly supplanted by the porcelain en- 
amel dishes, which, though rather more expensive 
in the beginning, are unbreakable, and so cheaper 
in the long run. They are even invading the do- 
main of the faithful yellow mixing bowl and be- 
coming decidedly popular therein, being light in 
weight and more easily handled. The complete 
equipment of the kitchen is a more costly opera- 
tion than one is apt to imagine, individual items 
amounting comparatively to so little. But the sum 
total is usually a rather surprising figure. And 
so, remembering that Rome was not built in a day, 
carefully select those things which are really the 
essentials of every day, adding the useful non- 
essentials bit by bit. The size and number of 
utensils must be governed by the size of the family 
in which they are to be used. Never buy anything 
of copper for kitchen use, as the rust to which it 
is liable is a dangerous poison. There is one uten- 
sil only which is better to be of iron — the soup 
kettle — as it makes possible the slow simmering 
which is necessary for good soups and stews. It 
is not worth while to buy knives of anything but 
wrought steel, which are best cleaned with pumice 
stone. Cheesecloth for fish bags and strainers, and 



1:32 Tin: coMiM.i/i r. iioMi: 

stidiii:: cotton for pudding bags must not be over- 
looked. 

And so, witli kitchen eoni])lete, artistic, and 
satisfactory in every detail, it remains but to em- 
phasize two facts — that perfect cleanliness is abso- 
lutely essential to health, and that she who looketh 
well to the ways of her kitchen cateth not the bread 
of idleness. 

The following list may be too extensive for some 
purposes, not suited to others, but out of it the 
new housekeeper can select what she thinks her 
establishment will need, and estimate the price of 
stocking her kitchen with those necessaries which 
make for good housekeeping: 



1 dozen individual jelly molds SO. 60 

1 griddle 35 

1 small funnel 03 

1 large funnel 06 

1 gas toaster 55 

1 coal toaster 08 

1 gas broiler 65 

1 coal broiler 32 

1 six-quart iron soup kettle 1 . 50 

1 skimmer 14 

1 small ladle 09 

1 porcelain enamel dipper 40 

1 porcelain enamel sink strainer 40 

1 towel rack 10 

1 clock 1.00 



THE KITCHEN 133 

1 pur^e sieve, with pestle 18 

2 galvanized iron refrigerator pans 50 

1 dozen dish towels 1 . 20 

6 dishcloths 30 

1 set of scales 95 

1 vegetable slicer 25 

2 butter paddles 12 

1 can opener 08 

1 potato ricer 25 

1 apple corer 05 

1 chopping bowl 15 

1 tea kettle 1 .05 

1 ice pick 12 

■ 1 pair scissors 23 

1 scrub brush 20 

1 sink brush 08 

1 mop handle 38 

1 oil can 35 

1 whisk broom 15 

1 small porcelain enamel pitcher 26 

1 two-quart porcelain enamel pitcher 55 

1 cake turner 08 

I porcelain enamel wash basin 28 

1 potato scoop 18 

1 towel roller 10 

1 rolling-pin 15 

1 four-quart porcelain enamel saucepan, with 

cover 57 

1 eight-quart porcelain enamel bread bowl. . . .72 

1 gravy strainer 18 

1 nutmeg grater 09 

1 spatula 25 

1 egg beater 10 

10 



131 THE ('().Mri.i:'i'i: iio.mi: 

1 dish iiioj) Oo 

2 iron halving pans 20 

1 collander 35 

1 ten-inch porcelain enamel bowl 35 

2 eight-inch porcelain enamel bowls 48 

3 five-inch porcelain enamel bowls 33 

1 fryer and basket 1 . 50 

4 bread pans 60 

1 two-quart double boiler 95 

2 dish pans (agate) 1.10 

1 omelet pan 10 

1 porcelain enamel teapot 65 

1 porcelain enamel coffeepot 85 

6 porcelain enamel plates 78 

1 porcelain enamel platter 40 

1 porcelain enamel platter (small) 35 

6 porcelain enamel cups and saucers 1.14 

Dredging boxes for salt, pepper, and flour. . . .35 

3 pie tins 12 

1 galvanized iron garbage can, with cover. . . .50 

1 large dripping pan 17 

1 small drij)ping pan 15 

1 lemon squeezer 05 

1 molding board 40 

4 layer-cake tins 16 

2 porcelain sugar jars 50 

6 porcelain spice jars 60 

1 half-pint tin cup 05 

1 six-quart milk pan 23 

1 four-quart milk pan 17 

3 WTOUght-stecI knives 48 

3 wrought-steel forks 48 

1 egg spoon 08 



THE KITCHEN 135 

1 dozen muffin rings 46 

1 biscuit pan 25 

1 round fluted cake tin 12 

2 basting spoons 24 

6 kitchen knives 50 

6 kitchen forks 50 

6 kitchen teaspoons 48 

3 kitchen tablespoons 15 

3 asbestos mats 15 

1 chopping knife 20 

1 wire dishcloth 12 

1 flour scoop 19 

1 sugar scoop 10 

1 meat grinder 1 . 50 

1 soap shaker 10 

1 flour sifter 25 

1 coffee mill 50 

2 measuring cups 15 

1 meat fork 09 

1 larding needle 10 

2 brooms 60 

1 long-handled hair broom 1 . 45 

1 dustpan 12 

1 scouring box 50 

1 draining rack 10 

1 bread knife 25 

1 cake knife 20 

1 meat knife 55 

1 peeling knife 10 

1 bread box 70 

1 cake box 70 

1 three-quart porcelain enamel saucepan 36 

1 oblong loaf -cake tin 15 



M') T\U\ (O.MIM.l/ri: lloMi: 

1 ji'lly iiKild 30 

1 wooden spoon 05 

1 salt box 25 

1 pepper box 10 

1 graduated quart measure 16 

3 small vegetable brushes 15 

1 dozen glass fruit jars 60 

2 two-quart porcelain enamel saucepans .... 1 .00 
1 grater 18 

1 paper scrub pail 25 

2 two-quart agate pans 36 



CHAPTER VII 



THE LAUNDRY 



WHAT visions of dampness and disorder, 
of air malodorous with steam and soap, 
of meals delayed and hurriedly pre- 
pared, of tempers ruffled and the domestic ma- 
chinery all disarranged and the discomforts of 
home prominently in the foreground, are called 
forth by that magic word — washday! And yet, 
maligned though it be, it really is the day of all the 
week the best; for does it not minister more than 
any one other to our comfort and self-respect and 
general well-being? It may be " blue Monday " or 
blue Tuesday or blue any-other-day, but we very 
soon come out of the azure when it is achieved and 
we find ourselves entering upon another week's en- 
joyment of that virtue which is akin to godliness. 
In the brief interim of upheaval we may possibly 
wish we could hark back to the days of the " forty- 
niner," who solved his individual problem of per- 

137 



i^s Tin: coMrLETE home 

soiial ck'niiliiic'ss ])y simiily <lr<>l'l'i'i^^ '''^ s(jil('<l 
clothing into a boiling sjiring, where it was turned 
;ni(l churned and twisted and finally flung out, a 
clean and i)urilied testimonial to Mother Nature's 
ability as a laundress. Or |)erhai)s the pretty pas- 
toral of the peasant girl knee deej) in the brook, 
rubbing her household linen on the stones, hath 
even greater charms. But the trouble is that we 
are neither " forty-niners " nor peasants, but just 
plain, latter-day liousekeepers with a laundry prob- 
lem to face, and finding that it, like most other 
problems, is best solved by attacking it boldly, sys- 
tematically, and according to certain fixed rules. 

LAUNDRY REQUISITES 

The home laundry must be well ventilated and 
lighted, and in the basement if possible, for ob- 
vious reasons, the chief being the relief thus 
afforded to the otherwise congested kitchen and 
overburdened kitchen stove, while at the same time 
one other menace to health — the steam generated 
by the washing and drying — is removed from the 
main part of the house. It is highly essential that 
the laundr}^ be properly and completely equipped 
for the work of washing, boiling, drying, and iron- 
ing. Stationary tubs are much to be desired, those 



THE LAUNDRY 139 

porcelain-lined being more sanitary than either 
soapstone, which has a tendency to absorb grease, 
or wood, which absorbs the uncleanness from the 
soiled linen. It is especially necessary that the 
tubs be as impervious as possible when the linen 
is soaked overnight. If tubs are to be bought, the 
paper ones have a decided advantage over the 
more well-known cedar ones in being much lighter 
and consequently more easily handled, with only 
a slight difference in price. It seems so well worth 
while to minimize the strain of heavy lifting when 
and wherever one can, since washing at best in- 
volves much hard work and fatigue. 

THE STOVE AND FURNISHINGS 

The stove for laundry use may be either gas, 
oil, or coal, the latter being considered the most 
economical of fuel, while it often comes in very 
handy in the preparation of foods which require 
long stewing or simmering. The wringer should 
be of medium size, either wooden or iron-framed, 
the fonner having the advantage of lightness, the 
latter of strength. The screws must be loosened 
after each washing and thoroughly dried. Any 
particles of rust can be removed with kerosene. 
The following list gives a very fair idea of the 



140 Tin: ("OMPLKTE IIOMK 

essentials of the well-ruruislit'd laundry, and their 
cost : 

2 paper tubs 82 . 10 

1 \vriiifz;er 3 . 75 

1 block-tin boiler with copj)er bottom 2. 15 

1 washboard 25 

1 paper pail 25 

1 long-handled starch spoon 08 

1 long-handled dipper 12 

1 set clothes bars 95 

1 wash bench 75 

1 fifty-foot hemp line 20 

1 ironing board, or ) 95 

1 skirt-board ' 50 

3 Mrs. Potts' nickel-plated irons 2 . 85 

1 sleeve and ruffle iron 35 

1 iron rest 08 

1 clothes stick 10 

1 clothes basket 80 

5 dozen clothespins 10 

2 pieces beeswax 05 

IRONS AND HOLDERS 

If the ordinary flatirons are preferred, they 
may be had at 5 cents a pound. They require, of 
course, the use of a good, stout holder, asbestos 
covered with ticking affording the best jDrotection 
to the hand. Slip cases are nice for use of this 
kind, as they can be taken off and washed. Pad 



THE LAUNDRY 141 

the ironing board with Canton flannel or a coarse 
blanket, then draw tightly over it a white cotton 
cloth and fasten on the under side. The padding 
must be absolutely smooth and without a wrinkle. 
And there must be a piece of cheesecloth with 
which to wipe possible dust from the line, a scrub- 
bing brush for the cleaning-up process which closes 
the washing drama, and the various preparations 
used to remove stains and assist in the cleansing 
of the linen and clothing — borax, starch, bluing, 
ammonia, oxalic acid, soda, kerosene, turpentine, 
etc. 

PREPARING THE "WASH" 

With all the " properties " in readiness, the 
fire burning well, and plenty of hot water to draw 
upon, the curtain rises on the laundress sorting 
the flannels, table linen, fine underwear, towels, 
and bed linen, colored clothes and stockings into 
separate piles, each to be disposed of in its turn, 
from fine articles down through to coarse, laying 
aside any which have stains. These stains she 
removes in a variety of ways, according to their 
nature, but removed they must be before going 
into the tub, where, in most instances, the hot suds 
will render them ineradicable, although it has the 



142 Tin: (OMPLETE HOME 

reverse ofTod on diii. It is a wise })laii to mark, 
■with a black thread hefore putting in tiie wash, any 
stains whicli are apt to be overlooked by tlie laun- 
dress, and those on large pieces, such as bedspreads. 

REMOVING STAINS 

The removal of stains from white goods is com- 
paratively easy. Fruit and wine stains are re- 
moved by stretching the fabric over a bowl and 
pouring boiling water through the stain, repeat- 
ing until it disappears. Boiling milk is sometimes 
applied successfully to wine stains in the same way. 
A thick layer of salt rubbed into the stained por- 
tion and followed with the boiling-water treatment 
is also effective. Obstinate fruit stains yield to a 
thorough moistening with lemon, a good rubbing 
with salt (a combination which is to be found all 
prepared at the drug store under the name of 
Salts of Lemon), and the application of boiling 
water. When nothing else avails, immerse the 
stained portion in a weak solution of Javelle water 
— one half cup to one pail of boiling water — allow 
it to soak a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. 
Javelle w'ater can be procured of the druggist, but 
is as well prepared at home by dissolving four 
pounds of ordinary washing soda in one gallon of 



THE LAUNDRY U3 

water, boiling ten minutes, and then adding to it 
one pound of chloride of lime. It should be kept 
well corked, and resorted to in extreme cases alone, 
as it is violent in its action on the clothes. For 
this reason special care must be given to rinsing 
after its use. 

Tea and coffee stains usually surrender to 
boiling water, but if they prove obdurate rub in a 
little powdered borax and pour on more boiling 
water. Chocolate stains can be removed in the 
same way. Sprinkling the stain with borax and 
soaking first in cold water facilitates the action of 
the boiling water. 

Rub iron rust with lemon and salt, and lay 
in the sun, repeating until the spot disappears. 
This is usually all that is necessary, but if the stain 
is very stubborn, spread over a bowl containing 
one quart of water and one teaspoonful of borax. 
Apply hydrochloric acid, drop by drop, to the stain 
until it brightens, then dip at once into the water. 

If an ink stain is fresh, soak in milk, renewing 
the milk when it becomes discolored. If very dry 
and well set use lemon and salt or the Javelle- 
water treatment. 

Mildew, which results from allowing damp 
clothes to lie in the basket for a length of time, 



144 'rilK Co.MI'I.l/li: lIo.MK 

is obstinate and diiru-ult to remove. I>oil in salted 
buttiTiiiilk ; oi" wet with Iciiioii Juice and stiiiid in 
the sun. If these treatments are ineffectual, resort 
to diluted oxalic acid or Javelle water, a careful 
rinsing to follow the application. Grass stains 
may be treated in a like manner, or washed in 
alcohol. Ammonia and water, applied while the 
stain is fresh, will often remove it. 

Remove ])aint stains with benzene or turpen- 
tine, machine oil with cold water and Ivory soap, 
vaseline with turpentine. 

Peroxide of hydrogen apiDlied to blood stains 
while they are still moist causes them to disappear 
at once. Soaking in cold water till the stains turn 
brown, then washing in warm water with soap is 
the usual treatment. If the stain is on thick goods, 
make a j^aste of raw starch and apply several 
times. 

Pencil marks on linen should be rubbed off with 
an eraser, as hot water sets them. 

Soap and water is the best agent for removing 
stains from colored goods, provided the color is 
fast. Moisten the article, soai^ the stain, and after 
a few minutes wash alternately with oil of tur- 
pentine and water. If not satisfactorily removed 
make a mixture of yolk of egg and oil of turpen- 



THE LAUNDRY 145 

tine, spread on tlie stain, allow to dry, scrape off, 
and wash thoroughly in hot water. Tampering 
with stains on garments which are not warranted 
" fast color " is very risky, and often leaves the 
second state of the garments worse than the first. 

SOAKING AND WASHING 

The prologue of sorting the clothes and remov- 
ing the stains being at an end, we are ready for 
the real " business " of the wash day — the wash- 
ing itself — unless the laundress prefers to soak the 
clothes overnight. If so, dampen, soap well, par- 
ticularly the most soiled spots, roll up and pack 
in the bottom of the tub, pour over tepid water, and 
leave till morning. Only the bed and body linen 
need be subjected to this treatment, as the table 
linen is rarely sufficiently soiled to require it, and 
the colored clothes and the stockings must never, 
under any circumstances, be allowed to stay in 
water beyond the time necessary to wash and rinse 
them. The water, if only hard water be obtain- 
able, may be softened by the addition of a little 
ammonia or borax. Water which has been dis- 
colored by soil after heavy rains or by the repair- 
ing of water pipes, should be strained through 
Canton flannel before use. After soaking, the linen 



146 Tni: co.MiMj/ri: iiomi: 

should bo put tliroii;;!! the wringer, wliidi will lake 
away nmcli oi" the soil with tiie water, aud then 
washed. A« to the way in which this should be 
done there are various opinions, most methods 
in use by experienced laundresses being reliable. 
Each, however, usually has her favorite method 
of procedure which it is perhaps as well to allow 
her to follow. Pity 'tis, 'tis true, that many house- 
keepers are so ignorant of how the wash-day pro- 
gramme should really be conducted that they are 
incapable of directing the incompetent laundress. 
The mistress of the house needs also to be mistress 
of the laundry, guiding operations there as else- 
where, seeing to it that body and table linens are 
not washed together, flannels boiled, clothing rotted 
by overindulgence in sal soda, nor any other crimes 
committed against law and order in the laundry. 

WASHING POWDERS AND SOAP 

If bleaches of any kind are to be used — washing 
powders, sal soda, borax, and the like — it must be 
in either the soaking water or the boiler, and very 
sparingly. Indeed, the use of bleaches at any time 
is a custom more honored in the breach than the 
observance. Though there is no hard-and-fast 
rule as to the order of precedence, it is well to 



THE LAUNDRY 147 

wash the woolens first, after shaking them free 
from lint and dust. Prepare two tubs of lukewarm 
suds, the second very light, adding a little borax 
dissolved in boiling water to each. Never apply 
soap directly to the flannel, nor rub on a board, 
which mats the wool, but rub with the hands, 
squeezing and dipping up and down in the first 
water till clean, rinse in the second water, which 
should be of about the same temperature as the 
first, put through the wringer, shake well, pull into 
shape, and hang in the shade to dry. 

WASHING WOOLENS 

Woolens must never hang in the sun nor near 
the fire, as the too-quick drying causes them to 
shrink and harden. When nearly dry, press on the 
wrong side with a moderately hot iron. The rins- 
ing water may be used for the first cotton wash. 
If both colored and white flannels are to be washed, 
the former should be done first, thus avoiding the 
lint washed from the latter. Drying can be accel- 
erated by pressing repeatedly between soft cloths. 
If the ordinary washing fails to remove any of the 
spots, spread on a smooth board and rub with a 
soft, wet, soapy brush. 



148 Tin: COM!' 1,1 /IT. IIOMl-: 

WASHING THE WHITE CLOTHES 

Next comes the washing of the table linen, llien 
the body lineD, and then the bed linen, the process 
for each being the same, though the tal)le linen re- 
quires the least rubbing. AVash in hot water in 
which the hand can be comfortably borne, soaping 
each piece well before it is rubbed, and i)aying par- 
tieular attention to the hems of the sheets; drop 
into a second tub of clear, hot water, rinse, and 
wring into a boiler about half filled with cold water 
to which has been added one tablespoon of kero- 
sene and sufficient soap chijis to joroduce a good 
suds. Bring the water to a boil and boil ten min- 
utes, stirring occasionally with the clothes stick. 
Too long boiling yellows the clothes, and crowding 
the boiler is to be avoided. From the boiler the 
clothes are lifted to a tub of clear, cold water, thor- 
oughly rinsed, transferred to the tub of bluing 
water where they are well and evenly saturated, 
wrung out, and those which arc not to be starched 
hung on the line where sun and breeze are most 
active. The bluing must be thoroughly mixed with 
the water. Clothes which have been carefully 
washed and rinsed need but little bluing. Hang 
sheets and tablecloths out straight and stretch the 



THE LAUNDRY 149 

selvages even. Pillowcases should be hung by the 
seam opposite the hem. 

STARCH 

Prepare the starch by dissolving one half cup of 
starch in cold water, pour on this one quart of boil- 
ing water, and boil till clear and white, stirring 
constantly. When nearly ready to take from the 
stove add a little borax, lard, butter, or white wax. 
A teaspoonful of granulated sugar is believed by 
many to be the most desirable addition. This will 
be of the right consistency for ordinary articles — 
skirts, aprons, etc. The same degree of strength 
in starch will not suit all kinds of fabrics, collars, 
cuffs, etc., requiring the stronger solution made 
by doubling the amount of starch; thin lawns and 
other fine materials the weaker produced by doub- 
ling the amount of water. Dip each article in the 
hot starch, those requiring the most stiffening 
being dipped first, because it is necessary to thin 
the starch. See that the starch is evenly distrib- 
uted, press out as much as possible with the hands, 
put through the wringer, shake out all creases, and 
pin evenly on the line. Additional stiffness is 
given by dipping the already starched and dried 

article in raw starch, which is made by moistening 
11 



\r,{) TiiK ('oMi'i.iyn-: homk 

a liaiidrul ol' slareli in a iiuait ol' cold water and 
rubbing in enough Ivory or other fine white soap 
to produce a very slight suds. Squeeze out the 
superfluous moisture, roll iu a dean white cloth, 
and leave for half an hour. Iron while still damp. 
In stiffening pillowcases dilute the starch until it 
is of the consistency of milk. Mourning starch 
should be used for black goods. Never hang 
starched things out in freezing, damp, or windy 
weather. 

COLORED CLOTHES 

Colored articles must be washed, starched, 
dried, and ironed as speedily as possible. Prepare 
warm suds with Ivoiy or Castile soap and add to 
it a handful of salt to set the color. Wash each 
piece through this, and rinse through two clear 
waters to which just enough vinegar to taste has 
been added, the latter to brighten the color, then 
stiffen in cool starch and hang in the shade. AVhen 
washing delicate colored fabrics a tablespoon of 
ox gall may be substituted for the salt. 

STOCKINGS 

Last come the stockings, which should be 
washed in clean water, first on the right side, then 



THE LAUNDRY 151 

on the wrong, special care being bestowed npon the 
feet. Rinse in clear water, with a final rinsing in 
hot water to soften the fiber, and hang on the line 
wrong side out, toes up. Woolen stockings are 
washed in the same way as flannels. 

DAINTY LAUNDERING 

The dainty task of laundering centerpieces and 
doilies usually devolves upon their owner, unless 
the laundress has demonstrated her ability to 
cleanse and iron them properly. Wash in warm 
Ivory or Castile soapsuds, squeezing, dipping, and 
rubbing between the hands until clean, rinse thor- 
oughly — otherwise the soap will yellow — bluing the 
last rinsing water very slightly, squeeze out (never 
wring) as much moisture as possible, and hang on 
the line, in the shade if out of doors. While still 
very damp lay face down on a thick flannel pad 
covered with a white cloth, and iron till dry. If the 
piece is large it can be turned and ironed lightly 
on the right side where there is no embroidery. 
Colored embroideries must never be sprinkled and 
rolled. Iron the linen of large lace-trimmed center- 
pieces, then lay on a bed or other flat surface, and 
stretch the lace by carefully pinning down each 
point. 



i."):^ Tui-: coMi'Li/n: iiomi: 

The cleansing of laces is best accomplished by 
basting on strips oi" cheesecloth, fastening down 
each point, and soaking for some time in wai"m, 
soapy water. Squeeze out and put into fresh soapy 
water, repeating the i)rocess until the lace is per- 
fectly clean, then rinse in clear borax water — four 
teaspoonfuls to one ])int. Place the cheesecloth, 
lace down, on a flannel or other soft pad, and iron 
until dry. 

HOW TO WASH SILK 

Put white and light-colored silks and pongees 
through strong, tepid white soapsuds, then through 
a second weaker suds, rinse, press out the water 
with the hands, shake out all wrinkles, spread on 
a clean sheet, and roll tight. Cover with a cheese- 
cloth and iron while still damp with a not too hot 
iron. No jDortion of silk should be allowed to dry 
before ironing. If this occurs do not sprinkle, but 
dampen by rolling in a wet cloth. In laundering 
pure white silk, slightly blue the rinsing water. 
A slight fiiTuness can be imparted to any silk by 
the addition of one teaspoon of gum arabic to each 
pint of the rinsing water. Silk hose are laundered 
just as other silk, excejit that instead of being rolled 
they must be dried as quickly as possible and ironed 
under a damp cloth. 



THE LAUNDRY 153 

WASHING BLANKETS 

Do not allow blankets to become very much 
soiled before laundering. When this becomes 
necessary, put to soak for fifteen minutes in plain 
warm water — soft, if possible. Then prepare a 
jelly with one pound of soap to each blanket, and 
boiling water, pour into a tub of warm water and 
lather well, wring the blankets from the soaking 
water into this and let soak for ten minutes, then 
rub between the hands, bit by bit, until as clean 
as possible, wring into the first rinsing water, which 
should be just warm, then rinse a second time in 
tepid water, and dry well without exposing to great 
heat. Instead of being hung, blankets can be dried 
on curtain stretchers. When dry rub with a piece 
of rough flannel ; this makes them fluffy and soft. 

WASHING CURTAINS 

Curtains and draperies should be shaken and 
brushed free from all the dust possible, before 
washing. Lace curtains, and especially those which 
are very fine or much worn, need dainty and care- 
ful handling. Soak for an hour or two in warm 
water containing a little borax, then squeeze out 
the water and drop into a boiler half filled with 



154 TIIK CO.Ml'Li:'!!: llO.Ml" 

cold water to wliicii have been added one liali' bar of 
soaj), shaved thin, two tablespoonfuls of ammonia, 
and one of turpentine. Bring to a l)()il and let stand 
at llie boiling i)()iiit, without boiling, for iialf an 
hour, stirring oceasionally with the clothes stick, 
rinse thoroughly, starch well with thick boiled 
starch, and stretch on frames to dry. If frames 
are not available, i»in to a carpet which has been 
smoothly spread with a clean sheet. When a pure 
white is desired, add a little bluing to the starch 
water. Water tinted with coffee will produce an 
ecru effect, while tea will give a more decided hue. 
Muslin curtains are laundered like any other fine 
white goods. 

TIDYING UP AND SPRINKLING 

The last article being hung on the line, each 
implement used in the process of washing must be 
cleaned, dried, and put in its place, the laundry 
floor scrubbed, and everything made spick and 
span; then comes the sprinkling and rolling of the 
piles of snowy, sweet-smelling linen, all full of 
fresh air and sunshine, to make a little rest time 
after the vigorous exercise which precedes it. It 
must be done with care as much depends upon 
it. Table linen, unless taken from the line while 



THE LAUNDRY 155 

still moist, should be sprinkled very damp, folded 
evenly, rolled and wrapped in a white cloth, and 
placed in the clothes basket, which has been pre- 
viously lined with an old sheet. Bed linen and 
towels require very little dampening; they, too, to 
be rolled and placed with the table linen. Sprinkle 
body linen well, particularly the lace and embroid- 
ery trimmings, roll tight, wrap, and add to the 
growing pile in the basket. The kitchen towels 
which have just come from the line may be utilized 
for wrapping purposes. Handkerchiefs receive 
the same treatment as napkins in sprinkling, fold- 
ing, and ironing. Although everything irons more 
easily after being rolled for some time, thus evenly 
distributing the dampness, an exception must be 
made of colored clothing, which must not be sprin- 
kled more than half an hour before it is ironed. 
"When the sprinkling is all done, cover the basket 
with a damp cloth, then with a dry one, and leave 
till ironing time. If a coal range is in use, see that 
the fire is burning steadily, replenishing from time 
to time, first on one side, then on the other, brush 
off the top of the stove, wipe the irons, and put 
on to heat. If they heat slowly, invert a large dish 
pan over them. 



\'>i) Tin: coMrij/ri: jio.mi: 

CARE OF IRONS 

AVlioii not in use, irons can lie protected from 
dampness and resulting rust by covering with 
mutton fat or i)araffine, rubbed on while slightly 
wann. It is easily removed when the irons are 
wanted for use. Kust spots can be removed by 
applying olive oil, leaving for a few days, and then 
rubbing over with unslaked lime. Scrub with 
soap and water, rinse, dry, rub with beeswax, and 
wipe off with a clean cloth. The soap and water 
treatment, followed by a vigorous rubbing on brick- 
dust, should be given frequently, irrespective of 
rust. Irons must neither be allowed to become red- 
hot nor to stand on the range between usings, or 
roughness will result. "When not in use, stand on 
end on a shelf. Rubbing first with beeswax and 
then with a clean cloth will prevent the irons from 
sticking to the starched things. 

HOW TO IRON 

Before beginning to iron have everything in 
readiness — beeswax, a heavy \)npev on which to 
test the iron, a dish of water, and a soft cloth or 
a small sponge for dampening surfaces which have 
become too drv to iron well, or which have been 



THE LAUNDRY 157 

poorly ironed and need doing over. Stand the 
ironing table in the best light which can be found, 
with the ironing stand at the right and the clothes 
at the left, and work as rapidly as consistent with 
good results. There is no royal road to ironing, 
but with perseverance and care the home laundress 
can become quite expert, even though she cannot 
hope to compete with the work turned out by those 
who do nothing but iron six days in the week. 
Give the iron a good, steady pressure, lifting from 
the board as little as possible, and then — iron! 
Take the bed linen first, giving a little extra press 
to the hems of the sheets. Many housewives have a 
theory that unironed sheets are the more hygienic; 
that ironing destroys the life and freshness im- 
parted by the sun and air. Such being the case, 
the sheets can be evenly and carefully folded and 
put through the wringer, which will give them a 
certain smoothness. Towels may be treated in the 
same way, while flannels, knit wear, and stockings 
may, if one chooses, be folded and put away un- 
ironed. Table linen must be smoothed over on the 
wrong side till partially dry, and then ironed rap- 
idly, with good hot irons and strong pressure on 
the right side, lengthwise and parallel with the 
selvage, until dry. This brings out the pattern 



158 THE COMPLKTK HOME 

and imparls a satiny gloss to llie labiic, leaving it 
dainty, soft, and immaculate, iron all embroideries 
on the wrong side. Trimmings and ruffles must be 
ironed before doing the body of the garment, going 
well 11]) into tlie gathers with a light, pointed iron, 
carefully avoiding pressing in wrinkles or unex- 
pected pleats. Iron frills, either plain or with a 
narrow edge, on the right side to give the neces- 
sary gloss. Bands, hems, and all doulile parts 
must be ironed on both sides. Iron colored clothes 
— lawns, dimities, percales, chambrays, etc. — on the 
wrong side, with an iron not too hot, otherwise the 
color is apt to be injured. The home laundress 
is usually not quite equal to the task of ironing 
shirts, which would far better go to the laundry; 
but when done at home from choice or necessity, 
plenty of patience and muscle must be applied. 
Iron the body of the shirt first, then draw the 
bosom tightly over a board and attack it with the 
regular irons, wipe over quickly with a damp cloth 
and press hard with the polishing iron. The iron- 
ing of very stiffly starched articles may be facili- 
tated by covering with cheesecloth and pressing 
until partially dry ; then remove the cloth and iron 
dry. As each piece is ironed, hang on bars or 
line until thoroughly dried and aired. A certain 



THE LAUNDRY 159 

amount of moisture remains, even after the iron- 
ing, and must be entirely removed before the final 
sorting and folding and putting away. 

And so the wash-day drama comes to an end. 
We survey with pride and complaisance the piles 
of clean linen, shining with spotless elegance, and 
as we read therein a whole sermon on the " Gospel 
of Cleanliness," we conclude that it is decidedly 
worth while, and rejoice that fifty- two times a year 
this is a " washing-day world." 



T 



CHAPTEK VI n 

TABLE FURNISHINGS 

HE mistress no doubt has a housewifely 
taste for receipts, and may, perhaps, find 
• the following formula of service to her in 
her home-making : 

DINING-ROOM CHEER 

One set of fine, spotless table linen sprinkled — 
not too thickly — with pretty glass, china, and silver, 
and well lightened with brightness tempered to the 
right consistency not to dazzle. To this add a few 
sunny faces, some good conversation spiced with 
gayety — the unpalatable, distasteful portions hav- 
ing been previously eliminated. Then quietly and 
by degrees add food which has been carefully and 
daintily prepared and arranged. Over all scatter 
little flecks of kindliness and courtesy till an inward 
glow is produced, and keep at this point from half 
an hour to an hour, or longer. 

This receii)t may be depended ui)on to give 

160 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 161 

satisfaction under any and all conditions, and is^ 
compounded of ingredients which exemplary home 
makers have always at hand. If conscientiously 
followed failure is impossible. " It's use is a good 
habit." 

STOCKING THE CHINA CUPBOARD 

Of its component parts the more substantial 
ones are perhaps the most easily acquired; not 
in hit-or-miss, anything-to-get-it-done fashion, but 
with a view to carrying out some definite idea of 
table adornment, which is quite the most charming 
part of the home building. Dishes are more or less 
mixed up with poesy, which is full of " flowing 
bowls," " enchanted cups," " dishes for the gods," 
" flagons of ale," and other appetizing suggestions ; 
and it would be rather a good thing to keep the 
poetry in mind during the fitting out, that there 
may be nothing aggressively cheap nor loudly 
assertive, but each piece harmoniously congenial 
to its fellows. There need be no hurry — that is 
one of the delights o' it — and the shopping may 
mean only " looking," for the good buyer believes 
that many dishes are to be examined but few chosen 
— a meat set here, a salad set there, a piece of cut 
glass somewhere else — here a little and there a 



\(VZ THE CO.MPLHTi: IIOMi: 

little, with time to get aciiuaiiited with and enjoy 
each added treasure as it eoiiies. It is a rare ex- 
perience, this stocking the china cupboard; one 
likely to ])e prolonged through one's entire house- 
keeping experience, thanks be ! 

THE GROUNDWORK 

There is so much exquisitely patterned and in- 
expensive china, glass, and porcelain turned out 
these days that one cannot wander very far afield 
in buying unless she gets lost among the intricacies 
of castors — pickle and otherwise — ironstone china, 
colored and imitation cut glass, and butter dishes 
with domelike covers. Probably the persons who 
invented these have gone to join hands with the 
perpetrator of the red tablecloth. May their works 
soon follow them! Complete sets of dishes are 
giving way to the character and diversity imparted 
to the table by odd pieces and sets for different 
courses. However, a jiretty, inexpensive set of 
porcelain or china — something which will bear ac- 
quaintance, and of some easily replaced standard 
pattern — is a good beginning, for one rarely starts 
out with a full equipment of fine china, and even 
so, there should be something stronger to bear the 
heaviest brunt of wear. All complete sets contain 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 163 

one hundred and seven pieces, and include one 
dozen each of dinner, breakfast, tea, soup, and but- 
ter plates, and cups and saucers of medium size, 
three platters of various sizes, vegetable dishes, 
covered and coverless, and a gravy boat. Tureen, 
sugar bowl, and cream pitcher, and after-dinner 
coif ees are not included, but may be ordered extra. 
The choice in everyday sets lies between plain 
white — preferably the French china, known as 
Haviland, which can be bought for $35 — and the 
blue - and - white English porcelain of different 
makes — Copeland, Trenton, etc., a desirable set of 
which costs $15 and higher. All-white is entirely 
blameless from the standpoint of good taste, and 
has a dainty fineness in the Haviland of which one 
rarely tires, while it never clashes with anything 
else on the table. It is so infinitely preferable to 
cheap, gaudy decorations, so sincerely and honestly 
what it seems to be, that it has a certain self-respect- 
ing quality which one cannot help but admire. 
Blue-and-white has an attraction which has never 
died since it had its birth in the original Delft, 
which is copied so extensively now in Japan and 
China. And though the porcelain is but an imita- 
tion, it is a clever one, and one which leaves little 
to be desired in decorative value and general effect. 



164 Till': co.MiM.i/n: iio.mi: 

Tlie design may strike one at first as being a little 
licavv, but it iiiii)j-()\cs on ac(|ii;iiiitaiic<', and it lias 
been very aptly said that the fact (jI" its liaving 
survived enthusiasm should vouch for its worth. 
Porcelain has a good glaze which does not readily 
crack or break. Advancing in the scale of cost 
and fineness, we come to that most beautiful of all 
chinas — the gold-and-white — which can Ite had at 
from $50 a set up to as high as $1,500. The gild- 
ing is in coin gold, the effect of richness tempered 
with chastity being carried through all grades in 
varying intensity. It " exj^resses itself beyond 
expression," and is an honor to any table. 

COURSE SETS 

"When it comes to the purchase of course sets, 
different tastes can find instant gratification in 
numberless colorings and designs. Overdecoration 
and large floral devices must be avoided, but any 
delicately expressed pattern is good, and here 
again the gold-and-white seems to fulfill all de- 
mands. Soup, salad, tea, butter, and other plates 
can be had in china from 30 cents apiece up. Ar- 
ticles of this kind, in a standard pattern, may be 
bought one or two at a time, and added to as abil- 
ity permits until the set is completed. Any unusual 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 165 

design runs througli two years, after wliich it can 
be obtained only from the factory. A dozen of 
each is a good number to aim at, for there will be 
many occasions which will call out one's whole dish 
brigade and keep it actively engaged. The old 
joke about having to wash dishes between courses, 
and sending the ice cream afloat on a warm plate, 
really loses its amusing aspect when it becomes 
an actual experience. Unless the mistress prefers 
to serve her soup at the table, a tureen is not a 
necessity, but if used, it must match the soup plates. 
It is a somewhat fluctuating fashion, out at present. 
Soup plates are not the great flaring affairs of 
yore. They either follow the old shape, much re- 
duced, or are in the nature of a large sauce dish. 
The meat set of platters, plates, and vegetable 
dishes comes into play at all meals, tea plates can 
be put to a variety of uses — in fact, many dishes 
supplement one another at a saving of expense and 
numbers. If one has a handsome glass bowl suffi- 
ciently large, a special salad bowl is not an essential, 
but a china bowl demands plates to match. Hand- 
painted china, in sets or odd pieces, is pretty — 
sometimes — if artistically designed and perfectly 
executed, but a little goes a long way. Don't be 
the innocent victim of some well-meaning relative 

12 



Kifi 'nii: co.MiM.iyri: iioMi-: 

with the chiua-iiaiiitiii^ bee. (ieiitly ])ut firmly 
refuse to saciifice tlic Ijcaiity of your tiible to 
family lies; they ou^lit to be able to stand the 
strain, but your table eaunot. 

ODD PIECES 

Japanese and Chinese ware is steadily gaining 
in favor — another instance in which imitation is 
l)ermissible, for the " real thing " is undoubtedly 
costly. The quaint conceits in creams and sugars, 
chocolate pots, bonbon dishes, and plates, with 
their storks and chrysanthemums, their almond- 
eyed damsels and mandarins, are always interest- 
ing. The fad of odd cups and saucers is fast devel- 
oi)ing into a fixed fashion, and a good one, which is 
a particular boon to the giver of gifts on Christmas 
and other anniversaries when '' presents endear 
absents." Pretty styles in all sizes of different 
French, German, and English makes can be found 
at 50 cents and np, with sj^ecial reductions at sale 
times. Larger plates, to acconnnodate both the slice 
of bread and the butter ball, have taken the i)lace of 
the tiny butter plate, and should properly match the 
meat set. A touch of gold with any china decora- 
tion gives it a certain character and richness. The 
chojD platter — among the nice-to-haves and bought 




WEDC4W0UD ruTTEEY, AND SILVER OF ANTKjUE DESIGN. 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 167 

as an odd piece — belongs in the lightning change 
category, for it may serve us our chops and peas 
during the first course, our molded jelly salad 
during the second, and our brick of ice cream or 
other dessert during the third. The range in price 
is from $1 up to $5 and $6 for the choicest de- 
signs. Then there are berry sets of a bowl and six 
saucers, both being turned to account for diiferent 
uses, and costing in Haviland as low as $1.75. 
And there must be some small bo^ls or large sauce 
dishes for breakfast use, if our housewife is cere- 
ally inclined, and a china tile or two on little legs 
to go under the coffee and tea pots. The china 
pudding dish, with its tray and its heat-proof 
baking pan, is a pretty and convenient accessory, 
saving the bother of veiling the crackled complex- 
ion of the ordinary baking dish with a napkin. 
These cannot be had for less than $3.50 and are 
made in silver also, minus the tray and plus a 
cover. The teapot, true symbol of hospitality, has 
come down from the high estate to which it was 
formerly created, and is a fat, squatty affair now. 
Dainty sets of teapot, cream, and sugar matching 
— a nobby little outfit — are to be had for $2, in 
gold-and-white, $3, etc. There are after-dinner 
coffee sets, too. Needless to say there must not 



!()■« Tin: COM I'M /ri: home 

1)0 even tlie slii::litest acquaiutance between fine 
cliiiia or iionrlaiii and the Lot oven if you value 
tlieir glaze. 

SILVER AND PLATE 

Of tlie i^urc'liase of silver there is little to say. 
Unless her friends have been very generous in 
their gifts of solid ware, the mistress usually ac- 
quires it a little at a time, contenting herself with 
the plated for general use. Here the souvenir fork 
or spoon frequently stej^s into the breach, but in 
default of any other, good shining plated ware 
presents just as good an appearance as the solid 
and serves every purpose until the plate begins 
to show wear, when it should be renewed without 
delay. The plainer the pattern the better. Me- 
dium-sized knives and forks of the best Rogers 
triple plate sell for $7 a dozen, teas for 10 cents 
less, fi-uit knives for $3. Teaspoons in the dainty 
Seville pattern, with only a beaded trimming 
around the handle, are $4 a dozen, dessert spoons 
$3.25 a half dozen, and tablespoons $3.75. A 
gra^'y ladle costs $1.25. The infinite variety of 
odd forks and spoons for various uses is best 
acquired with the other solid silver. Plated ware 
ought never to serve acids nor top salt shakers, 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 169 

since both acid, and salt when damp, corrode the 
plating. Solid salt and pepper shakers can be had 
as low as $1 a pair, cut glass with solid tops for 
$1 and $1.50. If individual salt dishes are used, 
they must be accompanied by tiny solid salt spoons 
at 35 cents apiece and up. Very nice though not 
altogether necessary accompaniments of the bread- 
and-butter plates are the individual butter knives 
at $10 a dozen. 

If steel-bladed knives are preferred to silver, 
the medium size, with composition handles of cellu- 
loid and rubber, are $4.50 a dozen, with accom- 
panying forks with silver-plated tines at $7.50. 
The carving knife, broad, long, and strong, with 
its fork, good steel both, can be had for $2.75, 
with a game knife, its blade short and pointed and 
its handle long, with its fork, $2.50. 

GLASS 

Cut glass is another of the can-do-withouts, ex- 
cept, perhaps, the carafe, now used instead of the 
old-fashioned water pitcher, at $3, $3.50, etc. ; cruets 
for vinegar and oil, simply cut and in good style, 
for as low as $1.50 each ; and the finger bowls, one 
for each person. The last, of thin crystal and per- 
fectly plain save for a sunburst of cutting under- 



170 TIIK (OMl'IJ/n: HOME 

iiL'nth, are $3 a dozen, with otlicrs more elaborate, 
and costly in i)ro})ortion. Tumblers, thin, dainty, 
and delightful, eut a little at the bottom, are $1.50 
a dozen, and far pleasanter to diink l'i"(jm than 
their elaborately cut and artistic brethren. Occa- 
sionally a pretty little olive <;lish can be picked up 
for as low as $1.50 or $2, but rather perfect and 
inoffensive plainness than imitation cut, cheap, 
crude, and clumsy. The American cut glass is con- 
sidered the choicest. Side by side with it, and pre- 
ferred by many as being less ostentatious, is the 
beautiful Bohemian glass, with its exquisite tracer- 
ies in gold and delicate colors. Only in this glass 
is color permissible, and then principally in recep- 
tacles for flowers. There is reason to believe that 
it was from a Bohemian glass i)late the King of 
Hearts stole the tarts on a certain memorable occa- 
sion, and if so, one can readily understand why 
the temjotation was so irresistible to him. 

ARRANGEMENT 

To put all our pretty things on the table in such 
a way that the result shall be a picture of dainti- 
ness, grace, and sjTnmetry is seemingly a simple 
matter, but the trick of good taste and a mathe- 
matical eve are both involved in it. The manner 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 171 

of setting and serving tlie table varies somewhat 
with each meal, but a few suggestions apply to all 
alike. The center of the table must be exactly 
under the chandelier, and covered with the pretty 
centerpiece with its dish of ferns, a vase of posies, 
or a potted plant in a white crinkled tissue-paper 
pinafore. Nothing else has the decorative value 
of the table posy, however simple, which seems 
to breathe out some of its outdoor life and fresh- 
ness, and should never be omitted. Twenty inches 
must be allowed for each cover, or place, to give 
elbow room, and all that belongs to it should be 
accurately and evenly placed. At the right go the 
knives — sharp edges in — and spoons, with open 
bowls up, in the order in which they are to be used, 
beginning at the right. At the points of the knives 
stands the water glass. At the left are arranged 
the forks, tines up, also in the order of use, begin- 
ning at the left, with the butter plate, on which 
rests the butter knife, a little above the forks. 
The napkin — which should be folded four times in 
ironing and never tortured into fantastic shapes, 
restaurant fashion — lies either at the left of the 
forks or on the plate at the center of the cover. 
If many spoons are to be used, the soup spoon 
alone rests beside the knife, with the others above 



172 '11 ii: coMrLi/i'i: iio.mi: 

tlio plate. Individual salt cellars y;o above the 
])lates, shakers at tlie sides or coraers of the table, 
\vithm easy reach, and one carafe is usually allowed 
for every three or four ])('oi)lc. Carving cloths are 
laid before the jilates are put on, with the carving 
laiife at the right, the fork at the left. "Water is 
poured, butter i^assed, and bread arranged on the 
table just before the meal is served. Extra dishes 
and the plates for use during the different courses 
stand in readiness on a little side table, silver and 
glass alone being appropriate to the sideboard. 

DUTIES OF THE WAITRESS 

The maid stands behind the master or mistress 
to serve the plate of meat, the bowl of soup, and 
so on, taking it on her tray and placing it with 
her right hand from the right of the person served. 
All plates are placed by the waitress, while she 
serves all vegetables, sauces, etc., from the left, 
holding the dish on her tray or, if it be a hea^'y 
one, in her hand, within easy reach. Soiled dishes 
she removes from the I'ight with her right hand, 
placing them on her tray one at a time, platter 
and serving dishes first, then individual dishes and 
silver until everything belonging to the course has 
been removed. Crumbs are taken up from the 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 173 

left with a crumb knife or napkin, never with a 
brush. Many housekeepers prefer to dismiss the 
maid after the main part of the meal is served, 
ringing for her when her services are necessary, 
thus insuring a greater privacy during the charmed 
hour, and affording an opportunity for those little 
thoughtful attentions when each serves his neigh- 
bor as himself. 

THE BREAKFAST TABLE 

The breakfast table is usually laid with center- 
piece and plate doilies these days, and it may not 
be ill-timed to suggest that every effort be made to 
have this meal cheery and attractive, for it is, alas, 
too often suggestive of funeral baked meats and 
left-over megrims from the night before. If fruit 
is to be served, followed by a cereal and a meat or 
other heavier course, each place is provided with a 
fruit plate with its doily and knife, a breakfast 
knife and fork, a dessert spoon, two teaspoons, and 
a finger bowl. The fruit should be on the table 
when the family assemble, with the cups and saucers 
and other accompaniments of the coffee service ar- 
ranged before the mistress's place. Warm sauce 
dishes for the cereal and warm plates for the course 
which follows it must be in readiness. 



174 THE coMPijyri: homi: 

LUNCHEON 

Luncheon is the simplest, daintiest, most in- 
formal meal of the day— just a little halting place 
between breakfast and dinner, where one's pretty 
china comes out strongly. The setting of the 
doily-spread table follows the usual arrangement. 
Everything necessary for sending tea is placed at 
the head of the table, with the meat or other sub- 
stantial dish at the opposite end. Most of the 
food is placed on the table before the meal is an- 
nounced, and as there are usually but two courses 
the plates are changed only once. The only differ- 
ence between luncheon and tea being the hour of 
serving, the same rules govern both. The lunch 
cloth or the hemstitched linen strijjs may be used 
instead of the place doilies. 

DINNER 

Dinner is a more solenui matter. On goes our 
immaculate tablecloth now, over a thick pad, its 
one crease exactly in the middle of the table, and 
all wrinkles and unevennesses made smooth and 
straight. Centerpiece and posy go squarely — or 
roundly — in the center, with silver, salts, and cai'\'- 
ing set arranged as usual. The butter plate is 
frequently omitted from this meal, an oblong 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 175 

slice of bread, a dinner roll, or a bread stick being 
placed between tlie folds of each napkin, or on tlie 
butter plate, if used, with the butter ball and knife. 
If soup is to be served, the spoon is placed at the 
right of the knives. There is a preference for the 
use of a " service plate " at this meal — the plate 
which is at each place when dinner is announced, 
and is not removed until the first hot course after 
the soup — but this is usually dispensed with when 
there is but one servant. Proper cutlery for 
carving has its place before the carver, the carv- 
ing cloth being removed before dessert. If black 
coffee is served as the last course, the after-dinner 
coffee spoons are placed in the saucers before serv- 
ing. Finger bowls appear the last thing. 

THE FORMAL DINNER 

The formal dinner follows the general idea and 
arrangement of the family dinner, with consider- 
able elaboration. Out come our dress-up table 
linen, china, glass, and silver, and we add certain 
festive touches in the way of vines and cut flowers 
loosely and gracefully disposed in glass or silver 
bowls and vases. At the four sides of the center- 
piece go the dainty glass candlesticks, which cost 
35 cents apiece, coming up to 91 cents with the 



i7(i Tin: co.MrLi/n: jio.mi-: 

caTKlle lain]), cnndlo, inica cliimney, and sliado rom- 
])lc'te, the shade niaU'hing the fiowers in color. The 
lesser light which thus rules the night casts a 
wilching glamour over the table, shadowing iniiier- 
fections, softening features, warming heart cockles, 
and loosening tongues. Yellow is always good, 
green cool in summer, red heavy, and pmk of the 
right shades genial. Lace and ribbon have been 
banished from the table as being inconsistent with 
simplicity, but a small bunch of flowers or a single 
flower at each jjlace gives a pretty touch. The 
water glass is moved over to the top of the plate 
now, to make room for the wine glasses which are 
grouped above the knives. The oyster fork is 
placed at the right of the soup spoon, the fish fork 
at the left of the other forks. Overmuch silver 
savors of ostentation; therefore, if many courses 
are to be served, the sherbet sjooon may go above 
the plate, the other extra silver to be supplied 
from the side table when needed. Fancy dishes 
containing olives, salted nuts, and confections 
are arranged on the table, all other dishes being 
served from the kitchen or side table. It being 
taken for granted that the food is properly sea- 
soned, no condiments are on the table. Place cards 
rest on the na]ikins. 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 177 

THE FORMAL LUNCHEON 

The formal lunclieon table closely follows the 
formal dinner table, except that place doilies are 
used instead of the tablecloth. The bouillon spoon 
replaces the soup spoon, and other changes in the 
silver may be necessitated by the lighter character 
of the food served. The room may be darkened 
and candles used if the hostess so elect. If addi- 
tional light is required at either dinner or luncheon, 
it should come through shades harmonizing with 
the candle shades, and hung not higher than the 
heads of the guests. 

WASHING GLASS 

And after this, the deluge — of dishwashing! 
The cleansing of the glass opens the session. If 
much fine or heavily cut glass is to be washed, 
cover the draining board and the bottom of the pan 
with a soft, folded cloth. Wash one piece at a 
time in water not too hot — about three quarts of 
cold water to one of boiling, to which a. very little 
white soap, with a tablespoon of ammonia, has 
been added — going well into the cuttings with a 
brush ; then rinse in water a little hotter than the 
first, leave for a moment, and turn upside down 



iTH Tin: co.Mrij/ri: home 

on tlie board to drain until the next piece is ready. 
Then dry with a soft towel, or i)lunge into a box 
of nonresinous sawdust, better warm, which ab- 
sorbs moisture not reached by the cloth. IJemove 
from the sawdust, brush carefully, and polish with 
a soft cloth. If kept free from dust, sawdust can 
1)0 dried and used indefinitely. Care must be taken 
that there is no sand in dishpan or cloth to give 
the glass a scratch which may end in a crack or 
break. Put a spoonful of finely chopped raw 
potatoes, or crushed eggshells, or half a dozen 
buckshot into decanters, carafes, jugs, and narrow- 
mouthed i3itchers, with a little warm soda or am- 
monia water, and shake vigorously till all stain is 
removed, rinse and dry. The water in which glass 
is washed must be kept absolutely free from greasy 
substances. If milk, ice cream, or custard has been 
used, rinse otT with cold, then blood-wami water 
before washing. Cut glass must never be subjected 
to marked differences in temperature, and for this 
reason should not be held under the faucets, as the 
heat cannot be regulated. Glass with gilt decora- 
tion must be washed quickly and carefully with 
water free from either soda or ammonia, which 
attack the gilt, and dried gently. 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 179 

WASHING AND CLEANING SILVER 

The silver comes next, careful washing obviat- 
ing the necessity for cleaning oftener than once a 
month. Knives, forks, and spoons, which were 
separated into piles when taken from the table, are 
washed first, then the other pieces in use, in hot 
white soapsuds with a little ammonia, rinsed with 
clear scalding water, dried with a soft towel, one 
at a time, and rubbed vigorously, when all are done, 
with chamois or Canton flannel. Egg or vegetable 
stains can be removed with wet salt, black marks 
with ammonia and whiting. Only enough silver 
to supply the family use is kept out; the hand- 
some jelly bowls, cream jugs, etc., are wrapped in 
white tissue paper, placed with a small piece of 
gum camphor in labeled Canton flannel bags, clos- 
ing with double draw strings, and are then locked 
away in a trunk or a flannel-lined box with a close- 
fitting lid. If put away clean and bright, as they 
should be, they retain their luster and only need 
polishing once a year. When the regular silver- 
cleaning day comes around, wash and dry the silver 
in the prescribed way, and rub with sifted whiting 
wet with alcohol, leaving no part untouched, and 
allow to dry on. Wlien all the pieces have been 



ISO 'I'm: coMi'i.i'/ri: home 

treated thus, nil) witli a ll.-iiiiicl cloth .-md jiolisli 
will) a sil\i'r hiush, Jiejj^iilar Imishcs arc iiiailc Tor 
this purpose aud are invaluahlc in getting into the 
oiTiaraental work. Never make the mistake of 
applying a tooth or nail brush, which will surely 
scratch and mar the fine surface. ]\Iost silver pol- 
ishes are made of chalk prepared in different ways, 
but beware of the one which cleans too quickly: it 
is liable to remove the silver with the tarnish. 
Silver must not be allowed to become badly stained, 
thus necessitating hard inibbing and additional 
wear and tear. 

HOW TO WASH CHINA 

China washing requires a pan nearly full of 
water of a temperature not uncomfortable to the 
band, beaten into a good suds with a soap shaker-. 
Very hot water, or a sudden change from cold to 
hot, is apt to crack the fine glaze. Use a dish mop 
for the cleanest dishes, and, beginning with the 
cups and saucers, aud placing only a few in the 
pan at a time, wash quickly without allowing to 
soak, rinse in water a little hotter than the first, 
and wipe until perfectly dry and shiny. Pouring 
hot water over china and leaving it to drain itself 
dry may save time, but it will be at the expense of 



TABLE FURNISHINGS 181 

the polish. Spread the dishes out on the table to 
cool — piling them while hot injures the glaze — and 
put away the first washing before commencing on 
the heavy, greasy things. The washing water must 
be changed as soon as a greasy scum collects 
around the sides of the pan. 

CARE OF KNIVES 

Bone-, wood-, or pearl-handled knives should 
never go into the dishpan, but be stood, blade 
down, in a pitcher containing a little water and 
soda, the blades having first been wiped off with 
paper, and left till everything else is done. They 
are then washed singly with clean suds, special 
care being bestowed upon the juncture of the blade 
with the handle, rinsed, and dried immediately. 
If stained, rub with half of a potato or with a 
cork dipped in powdered pumice stone, wipe dry, 
wash, and polish with a little bath brick or sapolio. 
Clean carving knives and forks in the same way, 
going around the joinings with a rag-covered 
skewer. Spots can be removed from ivory handles 
with tripoli mixed with sweet oil; from mothcBr 
of -pearl with sifted whiting and alcohol, which is 
washed off and followed with a polishing with dry 
whiting and a flannel cloth. Cover rusted knife 

13 



182 



Tin: roMi'i.i/ri: home 



lilndcs \\\\]\ sweet oil, lult in well, and Icaxc foi" 
forty-ei.uiil lioiiis, then ruli with slak('(l linir. I'.ii- 
tniiniiV, })Owler, and lilock tin in table use are jiol- 
islied tlio same as silver. 



CHAPTER IX 

THE BEDKOOM 

THE bedroom is very like an old familiar 
friend: it sees us as we really are, tempt- 
ing ns to throw off all veneer of pretense 
or worldliness and rest in just being ourselves — a 
rest so sweet and wholesome and good that we go 
from it recreated and strengthened. In the spirit 
of truest friendship it exacts nothing, but by its 
subtle, quiet sympathy charms away our restless- 
ness and presents us anew to that person known 
as our better self. The friend of our choice is the 
one who wears well; who never intrudes, never 
wearies, never pains us ; whose influence is one 
of rest, of restoration, of reinspiration — the em- 
bodiment of the true mission of the bedroom. It, 
like our friend, must be able to survive with honor 
the test of that familiarity which comes with in- 
timacy — whether it shall breed contempt or con- 
tent. And so as we plan it, let us endeavor to 
temper our likes and dislikes with judgment until 

183 



181 '11 1 1: ( oMiM.i/ri; iio.mi: 

M'o fan !)(> reasonably sure that it will l)c a room 
pleasant to Ii\(' uitli, and <'()iii]ianioDable, which 
will Mdl initatc our moods into becoming moodier, 
nor our weariness into becoming wearier. 

LIGHT AND AIR 

Of first importance, of course, are light and air ; 
these we must have, and sun if possible. One good 
warm ray of sunshine is a more effective destroyer 
of disease and " dumps " than all the drugs on the 
market; while good ventilation is one of the most 
valuable as well as one of the cheapest and most 
ignored assets of the home, i")articularly of the 
bedroom, where our hereditaiy enemy, the microbe, 
loves especially to linger. Given air and light, we 
have the best possible start toward our rest room 
and upon its exposure and size depends largely 
what we shall add unto it in the way of furnishings 
and decorations. Dark walls and floors wrap one 
in gloom and have no place in any bedroom. A 
warm, sunny exposure invites the use of contrast- 
ingly cool light blues, grays, greens, and creams; 
while the glow of delicate pinks and yellows helps 
to make a sunshine in the shadows of a north light. 
East and west lights adapt themselves to the taste- 
ful use of almost any color, saving and excepting 



THE BEDROOM 185 

red, whicli cannot be mentioned in the same breath 
with rest and has the red-rag-to-the-buU effect on 
nerves. If an overstrong affection for it demands 
its use, it must be indulged in sparingly and much 
scattered and tempered with white. Though a cer- 
tain sympathetic warmth should be expressed in 
the bedroom coloring, we want rather to feel than 
to see it, and too much becomes a weariness. 

CARPETS VERSUS RUGS 

Beginning with the base, as becomes a good 
builder, and working upward, floor coverings which 
cover without covering, if one may indulge in an 
Irishism, are far preferable to those which extend 
from wall to wall. Carpets undoubtedly have their 
uses: they make over well into rugs, supply heat 
to the feet, particularly in summer, and to the dis- 
position during the semiannual house cleaning. 
They also cover a multitude of moths. But they 
belong to the dark ages of unenlightened woman- 
hood whose chief end was to keep house, and have 
been jostled into the background by bare floors or 
mattings, with rugs. Hardwood floors certainly 
are nice and seem to wear an air of conscious pride 
of birth, but their humbler self-made brethren of 
common pine, stained and varnished or oiled, an- 



iMi 'riiK (oMiMj/n; iiomi: 

s\\( r llic |iiii|i()S(' I'lilly as well. It rrally amounts 
to a cast- oi" rui^s iiiakc llic lloor, J'or ii" tlicy are 
pretty and cojivciiiciilly dlsiioscd alxnit it, the floor 
itself receives very little attention. Small rugs 
before bed, dresser, and cliilTonier will suffice in 
a small room, and can be easily taken out and 
cleaned, but a more commodious room requires the 
dressed look imparted by the larger rug. What- 
ever its size, avoid large figures and strong colors, 
choosing rather a small, somewhat indistinct pat- 
tern woven in the deei)er shades of the other dec- 
orations of the room, at the same time supply- 
ing a foundation which, without calling attention 
to itself, becomes a good support for the general 
decorative plan — a base strong but neither hea^'y 
nor stiiking. Since we were made to stand erect 
and look up, it is irritating to have one's eyes 
drawn downward by the unattractive attraction of 
an ugly rug. The colonial cotton rag rugs are quite 
the most desirable for bedroom use, from a sani- 
tary as well as an artistic standi)oint, and are 
woven to produce charming effects. The usual 
combination is two colors — white with blue, yellow, 
green, or jjink, black with red, different shades of 
the same color, etc. Occasionally three colors are 
used, but more are apt to destroy the dainty sim- 



THE BEDROOM 187 

plicity which is the chief charm of rugs of this kind. 
They are woven like any other rag rug, and of any 
dimensions. 

MATTINGS 

Mattings, if preferred to the bare floor, come 
in a variety of patterns and colors and look neat 
and fresh, and cool in summer if used without 
rugs. They are a yard wide and range in price 
from 10 to 50 cents a yard for the Chinese, and 
from 20 to 60 cents for the Japanese. There is very 
little choice between the two, though the Chinese 
wears a little better, perhaps. Matting is easily 
broken and should not be used where the bed must 
be drawn away from the wall to be made, or heavy 
furniture moved about. 

WALL COVERING 

Passing from floor to walls, we reach that por- 
tion of the room which gives it its real atmosphere 
and supplies a background for all that it contains, 
of both " things and people." The bedroom seems 
to be preeminently a woman's room : here she reads 
and writes, rests and sews ; it is her help in trouble, 
her refuge in times of storm. The intangible some- 
thing which surrounds the eternal feminine clings 
about her room and tells a verv truthful tale of 



INS Tin: (o.MrijyrK ikjmk 

llie individuality oi' its o('cu))aiit. Jler favorite 
color peeps out from wall and drai)ery; lier books, 
\v('ll-tliumbed and hearing evidences of intimate 
association, lie cozily about, and licr workbasket 
reveals the source of certain dainty covers and 
indescribable nothings which so materially refine 
the whole aspect of the room. Though she receives 
her foiTual calls in the drawing-room, it is in her 
bedroom that those confidential chats, so dear to 
the feminine heart, take place; therefore its back- 
ground must be chosen with some idea of its becom- 
ingness, and the happy medium in color and tint 
selected, softening and becoming to all alike. As 
absence of manners is good manners, so absence 
of effect is, after all, the best effect. First and 
foremost, avoid the plague of white walls and ceil- 
ings, which cast a ghastly light over the whole 
room and make one fairly shiver with cold. The 
general plan is to shade the color up from floor to 
ceiling, and this is accomplished in so many differ- 
ing and equally attractive ways that it is impos- 
sible to do more than offer suggestions which may 
be elaborated to suit individual tastes and condi- 
tions. Of course calcimine is the simplest and 
cheapest style of decoration, and recommends itself 
to the anti-germ disciple because it can be renewed 



THE BEDROOM 189 

annually at slight expense. The only difficulty lies 
in getting just the right tint, for decorators, though 
no doubt worthy of their hire, are not always 
capable of handling the artistic side of their busi- 
ness, and an uncongenial shade gets on the nerves 
after a while. The same thing holds true of 
painted walls and ceilings, though they too are hy- 
gienically good. When we come to papers, we are 
lost in a maze of stripes and garlands and nose- 
gays, either alone or in combination. Prettiness 
is by no means synonymous with expense these 
days, when the general patterns and colors of costly 
papers are successfully reproduced in the cheaper 
grades. Tapestry papers are too heavy for bed- 
rooms. Those figured with that mathematical pre- 
cision which drives the beholder to counting and 
thence to incipient insanity, and others on which we 
fancy we can trace the features of our friends, are 
always distracting, especially during illness, when 
restfulness is so essential. The plain cartridge- 
papered wall with frieze and ceiling either flowered 
or of a light shade of the same or a contrasting 
color is never obtrusive and always in good taste. 
With a flowered wall a plain ceiling is a relief, and 
vice versa. Figures in both walls and ceiling are 
tiring, besides having none of the effect resulting 



i!M) riii: ( oMi'i.i: ri: iio.mi: 

Iroiii contrast. Walls in jdain strij)es need to he 
livened with a fancy ceiling, or ceiling and frieze, 
witli their ))ackgroun(i always of tiie lightest tint 
in the side \vall. One room of particular chann 
was all in yellow. The molding had been dropped 
three feet from the ceiling, giving the imi)ression 
of a low ceiling and that snugness which goes with 
it, and u[) to it ran the satin-striped paper, while 
over frieze and ceiling ran a riot of yellow roses. 
And here was asserted the ingenuity of its occupant, 
who had cut out some of the roses and draped them 
at the corners and by door and window casings, 
where they seemed to cling after being spilled from 
the garden above. This same idea can be worked 
out with garlands or bunches of different flowers, 
bow knots, or other distinct designs. Xo large 
figures of any description should be introduced 
into a small room, and the whole effect of the 
decoration must be cheerful without being bois- 
terous, gay, or striking. If the ceiling is low, the 
wall i)aper continues u}) to it without a frieze, the 
molding — which corresponds with the woodwork — 
being fastened where wall and ceiling join. Back- 
grounds of amber, cream, fawn, rose, blue, or pale 
green, with their designs in soft contrasting colors, 
are the strictly bedroom papers. 



THE BEDROOM 191 

BEDROOM WOODWORK 

The very prettiest bedroom woodwork is of 
white enamel, which has that light, airy look we so 
want to catch, and never quarrels with either fur- 
niture or decorations. But of woodwork painted 
in any color beware, take care! Finely finished 
hardwood has the honesty of true worth and needs 
no dressing up ; but its poor relation, that hideous 
• product of old-time dark stain and varnish is only 
a kill-beauty, and should be wiped out of existence 
with a dose of white paint. 

BEDROOM DRAPERIES 

In selecting bedroom draperies, two " don'ts " 
must be strictly observed: don't use flowered dra- 
pery with a flowered wall, and don't buy heavy, 
unwashable hangings of woolen, damask, satin, or 
brocade, which not only are out of harmony with 
the whole idea of bedroom simplicity, but shut out 
air and sunlight, make the room seem stuffy, and 
collect and hold dust and odors. The patterns of 
chintzes, cretonnes, and silkolenes are manufac- 
tured to follow closely the paper designs, and where 
flowered ceiling and frieze are used with a plain 
wall, the same color and design may be carried out 



\\)'2 Till-: ("OMPLK'ii: iioMi: 

ill 1)(m1 ;iii(l wiiiddw (IraiM'i-ics, and in couch and 
chair covcriniAS. With a flowered or nuicli-fif^ured 
wall snowy curtains of Swiss, niuslin, or not, with 
ruffles of lace or of the same material, are prettier 
than anything else; and for that matter, they are 
a])propriate with any style of decoration and can 
always be kept fresh and dainty. But elaborate 
lace curtains which have seen better days else- 
where are most emphatically not for bedrooms, 
and should find another asylum. A pretty window 
draper}^ is the thin white curtain with a colored 
figured inner curtain. The use of figured draperies 
demands a good sense of proportion and of the 
eternal fitness of things, else it easily degenerates 
into abuse. 

BEDROOM FURNISHING 

The bedroom furniture must be chosen rather 
with a view to fitness than to fashion. " Sets " are 
no more. How stereotyped and assertive they 
were, and undecorative ! Bed, dresser, and wash- 
stand, forcibly recalling to one the big bear, middle- 
sized bear, and little bear of nursery lore, were 
clumsy and heavy and bad, even in hardwood ; but 
when they were simply stained imitations of the 
real thing, and ornate with wooden knobs, machine 



THE BEDROOM 193 

carving, and ungraceful lines, they were truly un- 
speakable. The bed with its fat bolster, on top 
of which, like Ossa on Pelion piled, stood the pil- 
lows, perhaps covered with shams which bade one 
" Good night " and " Good morning " in red cotton 
embroidery — was especially hideous as contrasted 
with our present-day enameled or brass bed, and 
belongs to the dark ages of crocheted " tidies," 
plush-covered photograph albums, "whatnots," 
prickly, slippery haircloth furniture, and other 
household idols which bring thoughts that lie too 
deep for tears. Only two styles of sets find a wel- 
come in the up-to-date home — the rich, dark, mel- 
low mahogany, which is too costly for the average 
pocketbook, and the white enameled. Even so the 
component parts differ from those of a few years 
back; then the dresser was considered an absolute 
essential ; now we frequently prefer the more grace- 
ful dressing table, with its small drawer or two 
for the unomamental toilet accessories, or the com- 
promise between the two — the princess dresser — 
with the roomy chest of drawers or chiffonier. 
The all-white furniture gives the room an air of 
chaste purity and is no more expensive than a set 
in any other good wood, but must be well enameled 
or it will be impossible to keep it clean. 



194 THE COMPLETE HOME 

CAREFUL SELECTION 

The trend of popular sentiment is toward the 
metal bed, with accompanying furniture in plain 
or bird's-eye maple, mahogany, dark oak, curly 
birch, or mahogany-birch. Dressers range in price 
from $9 to $50; princess dressers from $10.50 to 
$50; chiffoniers from $10 to $35; and dressing 
tables from $10 to $50. Furniture, like friends, 
cannot be acquired promiscuously without unpleas- 
ant consequences. There is no economy in buying 
cheap, veneered pieces which will be — or ought to 
be — always an eyesore. The truly thrifty home- 
maker will wait until she can afford to buy some- 
thing genuinely good, and then buy it with the 
conviction that she is laying up treasures of future 
happiness and contentment. The " good " piece is 
exactly what it claims to be, without pretense or 
artificiality, of hardwood of course, of simple con- 
struction, and graceful, artistic lines, its few deco- 
rations carved, not glued on. 

TOILET AND DRESSING TABLES 

Simplicity must be the keynote of all bedroom 
furnishings. The middle course in price is the safe 
one to follow, leaning toward the greater rather 



THE BEDROOM 195 

than toward the lesser cost. If there is a bathroom 
conveniently near, it is better to dispense with 
a washstand ; but if its use is imperative, make it 
as little obtrusive as possible. The home carpenter 
can easily fashion one from a plain pine table, hung 
with a valance to match the other draperies. If a 
marble-topped table is available, so much the better. 
Toilet sets can be purchased for $4 and up, and 
should be of simple design and decoration, plain 
white or gold-and-white being advisable for gen- 
eral use, as neither will clash with anything else 
in the room. A very satisfactory set in the gold- 
and-white is to be had for $8. A dainty dressing 
table follows the idea of a makeshift washstand. 
It should be made of a sizeable drygoods box, with 
shelves, and the top padded and covered to match 
the drapery. The mirror which hangs over it may 
be draped, or simply framed in white enamel, gold, 
or whatever blends with the room. Overdraping 
not only looks fussy, but means additional bother 
and care. The drapery is thrown over a frame 
fastened above the mirror. 

FURTHER COMFORTS 

In addition to what is considered the regulation 
bedroom furniture, there should be a small table 



196 T\u) coMri.i/ri: home 

at the lioad of tlie bcil for the ^lass of water, tlio 
candle or night lam]j, and books of devotion; a 
couch for the mistress's rest liours, and to save the 
innnaculateness of the bed ; a comfortable rocker, 
with a low^ sewing chair and one or two with 
straight backs; and, when two jjcople occupy the 
room, a screen which insures some degree of pri- 
vacy and affords a protection from draughts. If 
one is restricted in closet room, a box couch is a 
great convenience ; if in sleeping room, an iron cot 
or a folding sanitary couch, which becomes a bed 
by night, is invaluable. A chintz, cretonne, or 
other washable cover, with plenty of pretty pillows 
to invite indolence, can be used on either, with an 
afghan or some other sort of pretty " throw." 
Though upholstered furniture is out of place here, 
chair cushions corresponding with wall paper or 
draperies give a touch of cozy comfort. One room 
with dove-gray walls dotted with white, and -all 
other furniture of white enamel, had mahogany 
chairs of severe simplicity of design, with backs 
and seats covered with rose-strewn cretonne which 
extended in a box-plaited flounce to the floor. This 
was the only touch of color, save a water color or 
two, in a room overflowing with restfulness and 
that " charm which lulls to sleep." Willow chairs 



THE BEDROOM 197 

are pretty and appropriate, too. The screen, with 
its panels draped in harmony with other hangings, 
should match the furniture. The new willow 
screens are light, dainty, and easily moved. A 
table, footstool or two, and desk can be added if 
desired. A greater length of mirror than that af- 
forded by the dresser glass can be secured by set- 
ting a full-length mirror into the panels of one of 
the doors — a fashion both pretty and convenient. 
Have a care that all mirrors are of plate glass, for 
the foreshortened, distorted image which looks 
back at one from an imperfect looking-glass has a 
depressing effect on one's vanity. 

THE BEDSTEAD 

And now to the piece de resistance of the room, 

the 

"... delicious bed! 
That heaven on earth to the weary head ! " 

Furnished complete it represents a consider- 
able sum, but here again it is well not to count the 
cost too closely, for the return in comfort and re- 
freshment cannot be estimated in dollars and cents. 
The change from wooden to metal beds is desir- 
able in every way. Besides being so much more 
hygienic, they seem to take up less room, and admit 

14 



198 THE COMPLETE HOME 

of a fiver c'iiTuljitioii ol' air; they can bo painted 
ovcM- and fi-cslKMKMl \i\) when necessary, and look 
well with any furniture. The best patterns are 
formed by })arallel bars and circles, those with 
simple lines conveying the idea of solidity, and 
with the least ornamentation, being preferable 
always. The extension foot facilitates the arrange- 
ment of spread or valance, and if drapery is de- 
sired, beds with head posts fitted with canopy 
frames or " testers " are to be had. Brass beds 
are the most expensive of metal beds, costing from 
$22 to $55, or as much more as one cares to pay. 
They have to be handled with great care — or 
rather, not handled at all unless through the me- 
dium of a soft cloth. The vernis Martin bed of 
gilded iron produces the same general effect, and 
is but little more costly than the enamel bed, but, 
after all, it is only another " imitation." Enameled 
beds can be had for from $2 all the way up to $31. 
It cannot, of a surety, be necessary to warn against 
those hideous embodiments of bad taste, colored 
beds, with their funereal blacks, lurid reds, and 
sickly blues, greens, and yellows. Enough said! 
And avoid too much brass trimming. The bed 
should stand on casters — wooden — and not too 
high. 



THE BEDROOM 199 

SPRING, MATTRESS, AND PILLOWS 

Those two friends to nightly comfort, a first- 
class spring and a hair mattress, are vastly impor- 
tant. If the still, small voice of economy whispers 
that other mattresses are " just as good," stifle it. 
The hair mattress is the only really sanitary one, 
since it can be washed and made over and plumped 
up times without number, and surely no other en- 
joys the distinction of descending from generation 
to generation, with the other family treasures. 
Hair mattresses cost from $10 up, according to 
the length of the hair, but a good one of full size 
cannot be had under $30. Felt mattresses, from 
$7.25 to $13.50, are next in desirability, the best 
of these, warranted not to cake, being preferable 
to the cheap hair mattress with short hair. Then 
come moss mattresses with cotton tops, $4.70 to 
$8; husk with cotton tops, $3.15 to $4; and excel- 
sior, cotton-topped, $2 to $4. Mattresses in two 
unequal parts, the larger going at the head of the 
bed and the smaller at the foot, are more easily 
handled and turned than those in one jDiece. A 
slip of heavy white cotton cloth covering the mat- 
tress entire, is a great protection, and should be 
washed at stated intervals. 



200 Tin: (OMi'Li/i'i: iiomi-: 

l>ox springs are luxuriously comfortaMe, an 
average spring, felt-topped, costing $17 — hair- 
topped, $18.50. Those topjJC'd with tow and moss 
are less expensive. There is only one objection to 
the box spring: when the bedbug once effects an 
entrance therein, the days of that spring are num- 
bered, for there is no evicting him. Woven wire 
and coil springs run from $2.25 up, according to 
the number of coils, wires, and weight. 

Mattress and pillows are covered to match, these 
days, in all sorts of charming colors and designs, 
if one cares to add a little to the cost. Over the 
mattress goes a quilted cotton pad, interlined with 
one thickness of cotton batting. Pads can be made 
at home, or purchased for $1.25, $1.50, or $1.75, 
according to the size of the bed. The unbleached 
cost 25 cents less. Some housekeepers prefer a 
flannel pad as being more porous, and therefore 
more easily aired. Each bed should have its own 
pair of white woolen blankets, an average pair 
costing about $5, but a really " worth-while " one 
is scarcely obtainable under $12 or $15. A little 
cotton mixed with the wool is not objectionable, as 
it prevents so much of the shrinkage to which wool 
is liable. Hea^T' and uncomfortable " comforts," 
which supply in weight what they lack in warmth, 



THE BEDROOM 201 

are neither desirable nor healthful. Folded across 
the foot of the bed should lie the extra covering 
for cold nights, either an eiderdown or less costly 
quilt, daintily covered with cheesecloth, silkolene, 
etc. 

Two night pillows to a bed are the usual allow- 
ance. Good live-goose feather pillows sell for from 
$3 to $7, depending on the size, and should be pro- 
vided with extra cotton slips, buttoning on, to 
protect the tick. The feather bolster has had its 
day. Its descendant, the bedroll of hair, paste- 
board, or papier mache, is for ornament only, and 
is used as a finish at the head of the bed with fancy 
draperies or coverings, which it matches. Shams, 
too, are going out, with other things which are not 
what they seem. The thought of untidiness always 
underlies their freshness, and so we prefer to put 
the night pillows in the closet during the day and 
let the bedroll or the day pillows take their place. 
If there is a shortage of pillows, the night cases 
can be exchanged for pretty ruffled ones of lawn, 
muslin, dimity, or linen. If one still clings to 
shams, corresponding sheet shams should also be 
used. 



202 'j'lii: (OMi'i.i/n: ho.mk 

BIfD DECORATION 

There remaiii.s yet to Ije found anything more 
airily, chnslcly dainty tliaii the all-wliite bed witli 
its i)lain or fringed Alarseilles spread and its 
ruffled pillows. Though drapery has a ])icturesque 
effect, it interferes to a certain extent with the free 
circulation of air, and affords a lurking place for 
our insidious enemy — the microbe. If used at all, 
it should only be in a large, well-ventilated room, 
and sparingly, for a fussy, overloaded bed looks 
anything but restful. If considerable color has 
already been introduced into the room, the bed 
drapery, cover, and valance should be of some thin 
white washable material — dimity, Swiss, and the 
like. But with ])lain papers, flowered cretonne, 
chintz, etc., are appropriate. The canopy top is 
covered with the material, stretched smooth, and 
either plain or plaited, and the drapery gathered 
about the back, sides, and front of this, from which 
it hangs in soft folds to within two or three inches 
of the floor. It should be simply tied back. The 
canopy projects not more than half a yard beyond 
the head of the bed, and may be either oblong or 
semicircular. Very thin white material is used 
over a color. Whatever the material, it must, of 



THE BEDROOM 203 

course, be washable and kept unmaculate. The 
newest bed, all enameled and with a bent bar of 
iron at head and foot, lends itself to a pretty style 
of drapery, which is simply a plain, fitted white 
slip-over case for head and foot, finished with a 
valance of the same depth as that of the counter- 
pane, which leaves no metal visible anywhere about 
the bed. Pretty Marseilles spreads may be had 
for $3 ; cheaper ones in honeycomb follow the same 
designs. The white spread, with a colored thread 
introduced, may answer for the maid's room — 
never for the mistress's. 

SIMPLICITY 

When two persons occupy a room, twin beds 
furnished exactly alike are preferable to the double 
bed. An exclusively man's room demands some- 
what different treatment, though the general prin- 
ciples of furnishing apply to all bedrooms. A man 
abhors drapery, and usually prefers an ascetic 
simplicity to what he is pleased to term " flub- 
dubs." His notions of art are liable to express 
themselves in pipes, steins, and other masculine 
bric-a-brac; but whatever his wills and wonts on 
the furnishing question, his room must show care 
and attention. 



!tn)4 '11 1 1: coMPLiyn: iio.Mi: 

Tlic rule of cruiiiiiation is a j^ood orio to follow 
in IxHirooiii jiicturcs; no "robe's gallery" of 
liliotograplis, no iisoloss, nicaningloss, and trivial 
pictures, but Just a madonna or two, perhaps a 
l)liotograi)liit* copy of some old master, with a fa- 
vorite illuiiiinated (iiiotation — something to help 
and quiet and inspire. 

Tables, dresser, and chiffonier should have each 
its spotless cover of hemstitched or scalloped linen, 
or ruffled lawn or Swiss — anything but towels. 
They will answer, of course, but we want a little 
more than just answering. 

CARE OF BEDROOM AND BED 

Much of the refinement of the bedroom depends 
upon its daily care. This begins with its airing 
the first thing in the morning. The bed is stripped 
of its coverings, which are spread over two chairs 
placed before the open window; the mattress is 
half turned over, and night clothes and pillows 
are placed near the window. The slops are then 
emptied, bowl and all toilet articles washed in hot 
water and dried, pitcher emptied and refilled with 
fresh water, and soiled towels replaced by clean 
ones. Soiled towels must never be used to clean 
the crockery. Cleaning cloths for bedroom use 



THE BEDROOM 205 

should be kept for that purpose alone. Once a 
week slop receptacles must be scalded with sal 
soda water and stood in the sun. After an hour 
the windows may be closed and the bed made. The 
first thing is to turn the mattress — end for end one 
day, side for side the next — and then comes the 
pad, and after it the sheets. The lower one is 
put on right side up, drawn tight, and tucked in 
smoothly all around; the upper should be wrong 
side up, drawn well up to the head, and tucked 
in at the bottom, and the blankets brought up to 
within half a yard of the head, with the open end 
at the top. When all is straight and even, the 
upper sheet is turned back smoothly over the 
blankets and both are tucked snugly in. The coun- 
terpane, which was folded and laid aside during 
the night, then goes on, and is brought down evenly 
over the foot and sides of the bed, the bedroll or 
day pillows are added, and the bed is itself again. 
On Saturday the bottom sheet is replaced by the 
top sheet, which, in turn, is replaced by a clean 
one, and the pillowcases are changed. The spread 
usually needs changing about once a month. The 
night pillows are now beaten and put away, and 
night clothes are hung in the closet. Other articles 
are put in their places, the dresser top is brushed 



206 THE COMPLKTi: IIOMi: 

(ilf niul its various contents ])roperly arranged, 
litt(M- is taken uj) \\'\\\\ dustpan and brusli, or carpet- 
sweeper, and the room is dusted. Opened windows 
at niglit are a foregone conclusion. 

VERMIN AND THEIR EXTERMINATION 

Though it seems indelicate to suggest the possi- 
bility of a bug in a well-kept, charming chamber, 
even the best housekeeping is not always proof 
against feeling " things at night." Metal beds are 
rather inhospitable to bugs, and if carefully ex- 
amined, with the mattress, once a week, there is 
small danger of their getting a foothold. If traces 
are discovered, hunt out the bugs and extenninate 
them if possible, and sprinkle bed and mattress 
with a good, reliable insect powder ; or spray with 
gasolene, or wood alcohol and corrosive sublimate, 
and keep the room shut up for a few hours. Base- 
board and moldings should also be treated in this 
way. If, after repeating several times, this proves 
ineffectual, smoke out the room with sulphur, first 
removing all silver and brass articles and winding 
those which cannot be moved with cloth. Then 
proceed according to directions for fumigating the 
closet, using a pound of sulphur for a room of 
average size. If the room has become badly in- 



THE BEDROOM 207 

fested, it will be best to tear off the wall and ceil- 
ing paper, and fill all cracks and crevices with 
plaster of Paris. Such shreds of self-respect as 
these terrors by night may possess cannot long 
survive such treatment, and they will soon depart 
to that country from whose bourne no bug returns. 



CHAPTEK X 

THE BATHROOM 

WITH the subject of the bathroom before 
us, it would seem to be in order to 
promulgate the only really true theory 
of bathing. But this is not a treatise upon hygiene, 
and the world already has been flooded with advice 
on this subject, ranging from the urgings of those 
amphibiously inclined folk who would each day 
run the whole gamut of splash, souse, and scrub, 
to the theories of the dauntless Chicago doctor who 
would iDut all humanity on a level by abolishing 
bathing altogether. So we shall merely discuss 
the means of making the bathroom attractive and 
serviceable, trusting to our individual good sense 
for its proper use. 

Everyone has heard of the good woman who 
was showing some friends about her new home. 
The bathtub was an object of special pride. 
" ^^Tiy," she exclaimed, in a glow of enthusiasm, 
" it's so nice that we can scarcely wait till Satur- 

208 



THE BATHROOM 209 

day night." We may laugh at her naivete, but there 
is a good deal more of the " waiting for Saturday 
night " proposition than is good for — some of our 
neighbors. And, on the other hand, there is more 
of the heroic sort of bathing by faithful devotees 
of cleanliness than is necessary. 

The persistent spirit will have his bath, if it 
has to be with bowl and sponge in a cold room. 
But while most persons are persistently cleanly, 
bathing in the interest of healthfulness should be 
regular, and it should be enjoyable, and it cannot 
be either unless the bathroom is properly equipped 
and is ready for service when wanted. Even at 
some extra cost, it should be made possible to se- 
cure hot water promptly, and without agitating the 
whole household, at any reasonable hour of any 
day of the week. No family that we ever knew 
went bankrupt on account of the cost of hot water 
for bathing, and if they did they would have a 
pretty valid excuse. 

PLUMBING 

The bathroom is the heart of the plumbing 
problem, and it is not necessary to declare that 
the plumbing is the most important feature of the 
house, so far as health is concerned. Did we ex- 



'2\o 'riii: co.MiM.iyri: jio.mi: 

nmiiu^ ail old bouse (one of even ten years ago) 
with a view to purchasing or renting, the condition 
of the plumbing would be a first consideration. 
If it were not safe and in good order, we should 
have to make it so, for of course no one who is 
mentally competent would take any chances on 
such a menace to the family welfare. And to re- 
pair antiquated plumbing is an ungrateful task, 
while to replace it entirely requires })oth courage 
and a willingness to let go of one's money in large 
wads. 

Now, we want to remember that we shall wish 
to have our plumbing satisfactory, not only when 
the house is new, but ten years later, when it is not 
new. To make sure of this, we need first of all to 
know something of modern methods and equip- 
ment. Then we should employ a capable plumber, 
though he may cost us more than the merely pass- 
able sort. Finally, we should supplement good 
workmanship with the best materials. It may be 
noted that after the supply houses have evolved 
the best materials, in the sense that the materials 
are convenient, good to look at, and perfectly sani- 
tary, they add frills and decorations that bring up 
the cost to any amount we insist upon spending. 
But we can get what we really require without 



THE BATHROOM 211 

paying for the frills, if we exhibit tolerable ability 
in the selection of essentials. 

Open plumbing is, of course, the only sort that 
any self-respecting plumber of these days would 
consent to put in; if he hints at anything else, we 
may well be suspicious of him. Not only should 
the plumbing be where we can see and get at it, 
but sinks, lavatories, and tubs should have no in- 
closures that may retain filth or become water- 
soaked. 

Sewer gas is not the only evil to be guarded 
against, but it is the greatest. It is also the 
subtlest, for in some of its most deadly forms it 
is inodorous, and usually does its work before we 
become conscious of its existence. The poisonous 
gas is not necessarily generated in the sewer, but 
may be created anywhere in the pipes that obstruc- 
tions or uneven surfaces permit filth to accumulate. 
If, however, the plumbing is modern and of sub- 
stantial quality to begin with, has stood all the 
tests, and is accessible and fairly well understood 
by at least one member of the household, reason- 
able vigilance will obviate practically all worry 
about sewer gas. 



5^i«2 Tin: co.Mri.i/ri: no.Mi-: 

BATHROOM LOCATION AND FLRNISHING 

Usually the ])atlirooin is ])laoo(l in a contral 
location on the second (loor, accessible, if possible, 
by both rear and front stairways. In a small house 
the upper floor is always advisable, as the bath- 
room should be well retired from the living (luar- 
ters. Where the space can be si)ared, there should 
be a closet, however, on the main floor, or at least 
in the basement, where it will be readily accessible 
from the back part of the house. If the bath- 
tub is popular with the household, it is in con- 
stant use, and for this reason the closet is in some 
cases cut off from it, and is reached by a separate 
door. 

The principal thought being to eliminate any- 
thing which will retain water, tile or rubber floor- 
ing is preeminently best for the bathroom. If wood 
is substituted, it should be oak or maple, thor- 
oughly oiled. Nothing should rest upon the floor 
to prevent any portion of the surface from being 
thoroughly cleaned. A tile wainscoting is almost 
indispensable. Paper will not stand steam and 
moisture, and calcimine is scarcely better. Canvas 
or burlap above a four- or five-foot wainscoting 
makes an attractive combination. All-white is not 




THE BATHKUUM. 



THE BATHROOM 213 

called for, but light tints of green, buff, or terra 
cotta will give a softening touch of color without 
destroying the general effect of immaculateness. 

Art glass in the window can scarcely fail to 
add to the attractiveness of the room. It may be 
had for from 75 cents to $3.50 per square foot. 
A rug is an essential, but it should be of a sort 
that will not readily absorb and retain water. 
Speaking of the window, it must be observed that 
outdoor ventilation, without disturbing privacy, 
should be made possible. Often a bathroom be- 
comes quite suffocating, and with weakly persons 
the danger of being overcome in a locked room is 
not to be left out of consideration. 

THE TUB 

The tub may be of enameled iron or of porce- 
lain. The former costs very much less and is al- 
most as satisfactory as the latter, though in the 
cheaper sorts at least the enamel will eventually 
crack. Of course it can be reenameled, but in 
most things for the home there will be enough of 
repairing without counting too much upon the ease 
with which it may be done. That which will go 
longest without any repairs is usually best. Still, 
as between the two kinds of tubs, one can scarcely 

15 



214 Tin: COMrLETE HOME 

make a mistake cillicr way, and the difference in 
price will iiovern tlie decision of most of us. 

To be consistent in our tliouulit of keeping the 
floor clear, we should have a bathtub that rests 
upon legs. It should not, if avoidable, be placed 
under the window, and if it can be several inches 
from the wall, it is more easily cleaned on the out- 
side, and the space next to the wall need not accumu- 
late — or at least retain — soap, towels, and sponges 
that elude the grasp of the bather. Tubs come in 
lengths from four to six feet, and cost accordingly. 
The comfort of a six-foot bath to persons of any 
considerable elongation is always manifest, while 
a four-foot tub is merely better than a footbath. 
Where hot water is not on tap in unlimited quanti- 
ties, five feet is a fair compromise. In porcelain 
enameled ware a tub of this size costs from $27 to 
$60, without fittings. The better-class goods, in- 
cluded in this range, are warranted not to crack" or 
" craze." Porcelain prices are almost double those 
mentioned. If we want stripings or pretty flowers 
or highly ornamented legs for the tub, we will be 
permitted to 'pay for them, but they are scarcely 
requisites in the bathroom economy. 

Waste and overflow arrangements for the tub 
must be w^ell looked after. AVheu the master of 



THE BATHROOM 215 

the household is likely at any time to turn on the 
water for a dip and then become absorbed in study- 
ing the latest automobile catalogue, one feels safer 
to know that the superfluous water will find a ready 
outlet through the pipes, rather than the floors and 
halls. The same precautions are to be observed 
with the lavatory, where young America may 
choose to devote himself to original experiments 
in hydrostatics instead of performing the simple 
process of expeditiously removing the grime from 
his digits. 

THE LAVATORY 

Anything that is all of one piece is likely to 
prove more lasting than the other kinds, in the 
lavatory. There are various combinations, some 
of them including handsome marble tops, but basin 
and top should not be separate. If the wall is tile, 
the back that fits to it is not essential; but if the 
back is used, it should be of a piece with the slab, 
bowl, and apron, to avoid ugly cracks and break- 
age. The bracket form is usually regarded as most 
convenient, as legs are often in the way, unobtru- 
sive looking as they may be. Another method of 
attachment is by a concealed wall hanger. The 
pedestal design is somewhat more artistic, but 



216 Till: coMi'i-i/n: iiomi-: 

jidditionally oxpensivc not only in tlic })0^inning, 
but afterwanl in tlie ovout of damage. Lavatories 
in enameled iron cost IVoni $10 to $75, including 
fittings and pipes above floor. Some jjeople like 
running water in their bedrooms, and a private 
lavatory is certain to be appreciated by visitors. 
Objection has been made that the introduction of 
plumbing into the bedroom affords a new source 
of sewer-gas poisoning, but with modern materials 
and workmanship this need not be feared. For the 
bedroom the supply man will recommend the ped- 
estal arrangement, costing about $50; but less ex- 
pensive foiTus might serve. Of course every addi- 
tional outlet, such as this, increases the jiiping bill 
and outlay for labor. 

THE CLOSET 

So far as the health of the family is concerned, 
the most important feature of the bathroom is the 
closet. Here it would be simply folly for us to let 
any consideration of dollars prompt us to substi- 
tute an inferior or out-of-date apparatus for the 
safe kind. It would be better to sell the piano or 
even to steal the money from the baby's bank. 

The only safet^^ against sewer gas in the closet 
is to prevent it (the gas) from entering the house, 



THE BATHROOM 217 

and to make sure that gas from the water pipes is 
given an adequate exit and compelled to make use 
of it. The old-style washout closet was a pretty 
good assurance that the one gas would get in and 
that the other could not get out. The siphon closet 
of recent manufacture seems to be a much more 
dependable sort of contraption, though we need not 
accept as gospel the makers' assertion that it is 
perfection. 

The most reliable way to shut out gas is with 
water. Even in the old closets it was supposed 
that the outlet pipe would be kept covered with 
water, but as one could not see where the water 
was or was not, the supposition wasn't always to 
be regarded as proper material for an affidavit. 
Many a person has moped around and growled at 
the weather or the cook or anything he could think 
of to blame, when it was the cheap old plumbing 
arrangement he hadn't thought of that was at the 
bottom of his misery. Sometimes, too, we think 
a little sewer gas is preferable to the plumber and 
his bill ; but that is a very silly thought indeed. 

The siphon closet not only overflows, but it 
siphons, or draws out, the contents of the bowl. 
This is replaced with clear water, which completely 
shuts off the outlet pipe. Comparing the actions 



^IH THE COMPLETE HOME 

ol' tliu two systems, we readily see the better eleans- 
iug power of the double action, wliile the seal on 
the vent i)ipe is always evident. A ^^ood siitlidii 
closet costs from $30 to $50, and unless we liud 
something still safer we would better choose it. 

The low tank is preferal)lo in many ways to the 
sort that is attached to the wall near the ceiling. 
It is more comi3act, can be installed under windows 
or stairways, and looks better. Besides, it is not so 
noisy and operates with greater ease, with either 
chain or push button. The extra cost is slight. 

HOT WATER AND HOW TO GET IT 

We have named the essentials for use in a bath- 
room. But there are other features that add much 
to its convenience and attractiveness. Some of 
these need not be purchased at once; in fact, 
it is better here, as elsewhere in the house, to let 
many things wait upon a demonstration of their 
need. 

A bathroom without plenty of hot water acces- 
sible is not, as we have previously hinted, likely 
to become a popular resort. AVhen the wash boiler 
and the tea kettle have to be heated on the range 
and brought up in a precarious progress that 
threatens a scalding for fingers, feet, and floors, to 



THE BATHROOM 219 

even hint the possibility of the entire household's 
insisting npon a daily hot bath suggests lunacy. 
But if the hot-water tank is dependent upon the 
furnace or other house-heating arrangement, sum- 
mer is likely to JSnd it out of commission, with the 
chief element of a good bath obtainable only with 
much ado. Then some special means of heating 
water is required. 

There are many devices, most of them using 
gas, and disposed to be cantankerous late at night 
when all but the would-be bather have retired. 
The gas heaters are placed either in connection 
with the water tank in kitchen or basement, or 
above the tub, the water running in coils over the 
heater. These arrangements are speedy and com- 
paratively economical. They are slightly danger- 
ous, however; not that they are likely to explode, 
but from the fact that the gas, particularly if of a 
poor quality — which is usually the case — rapidly 
vitiates the air of the room, and may cause fainting 
or even suffocation. If the apparatus is properly 
adjusted, and one makes sure of the ventilation, 
heating the water and admitting fresh air before 
entering the tub, no distress need be anticipated. 
There are also gasolene and kerosene heaters, and 
an electric coil placed in the water is the safest 



5220 TiiK C()Mri.i;i'i: iio.mi: 

and cleanest but not the cjuickcst or cheapest scheme 
ol" all. Its cost is from $5 to $20. 

None of these heatin.ij^ nltaclmients is sure to 
prove fully satisfactory, l)iit any one of them is 
likely to add a great deal to the serviceableness 
of the bathroom. To many wholesome people one 
ideal of living is to be able to take a dip whenever 
one wants it, not merely when one can get it. 

A seat of wood, in natural finish or white en- 
amel, is a handy appurtenance to the tub. It will 
cost us 50 or 75 cents at a department store, or we 
can pay four or five times as much for a fancier 
quality at the supply house. 

BATHROOM FITTINGS 

Of soap holders there are innumerable designs : 
nickel plated or rubber. The latter will hardly be 
chosen. A sort that will come as near as any to 
])ermitting one to grasp the soap without sending 
it to the far corner of the room has a grooved 
bottom and is retailed for 45 cents. A sponge 
holder at the same price will keep that useful 
article within reach, and for the towels there are 
bars, rings, and projecting arms. Nickel-plated 
brass or glass bars are preferred, as the rings are 
elusive affairs for both hands and towels, while 



THE BATHROOM 221 

the projecting arms are usually unsubstantial, and 
if placed too high, constantly threaten to stimulate 
the artificial-eye market. The bars, if strongly 
attached to the wall, sometimes are a friend in 
need when one is getting in or out of the tub 
or regaining equilibrium after balancing on one 
foot. 

A mirror of good plate but simple design 
should be in the room, not necessarily over the 
lavatory, but better so. Nice ones may be had for 
$3 or more. There are toothbrush and tumbler 
holders galore, and some one of these arrangements 
will be found useful. The kind that provides for 
a toothpowder box, and has numbered compart- 
ments for brushes, is best, though there is some- 
thing to be said for the retention of such articles 
within the private domains of their individual 
owners. An attachment for toilet paper may be 
had for a quarter or for a dollar, and a workable 
one is worth while, as is a good quality of paper. A 
glass shelf, costing anywhere from $1.75 to $12, is 
almost a necessity, but there are better places than 
the bathroom for the medicine cabinet. 

A single-tube shower-bath attachment of the 
simplest sort is a lot better than none, and need 
not cost over 50 cents. The more adaptable kind, 



222 Tin: ("OMlM.l/ri: homk 

witli two oiids, will 1)0 found ticketed at about $2. 
'riicnco up to the elaborate fittings at $250 there 
are many variations. Sitz baths and footbaths are 
rather superfluous in the ordinary bathroom, ])ut 
we can spend a hundred dollars for the one and half 
that for the other without being taken for pluto- 
crats. 

A very fair bathroom, such as would ])lease 
most of us, may be equipped on a scale about as 
follows : 

Bathtub $36.00 

Five feet long, three-inch roll rim, por- 
celain enameled, nickel-plated double 
bath cock, supply pipes, connected 
waste and overflow with deanout. 

Lavatory 30.00 

Twenty by twenty-four inches, porce- 
lain enameled, slab, bowl and apron on 
four sides in one piece, nickel-plated 
waste, low-pattern compression faucets 
with china indexes, supply pipes with 
compression stops, and vented traps. 

Closet 35.00 

Porcelain enameled, siphonic, oak 
saddle seat and cover, oak tank (low 
set) with marble top and push button, 
nickel-plated supply pipe with com- 
pression stop. 



Total for main essentials $101 .00 



THE BATHROOM 223 

Tub seat, natural oak $0. 50 

Soap holder .90 

Sponge holder .95 

Toothbrush and tumbler holder .75 

Glass shelf 1.75 

Shower attachment 2 . 00 

Mirror 3.00 

Robe hooks .75 

Towel bars 1 .00 

Toilet-paper holder .50 

Towel basket 1 .00 

Grand total $113 . 10 



CHAPTEK XI 

CELLAB, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 

MODEIJN city and town life, with butcher 
and grocer so conveniently near, has done 
away to some extent with the cellar of ye 
olden tyme — dubbed one of the aids to " success- 
ful diplomacy," the other being that very neces- 
sary adjunct, a good cook. Those were truly days 
of bounteous hospitality and i)lenty which filled 
the cellar with barrels of apples of every variety, 
bins of potatoes, bushels of turnips and onions, 
barrels of pork " put down," corned beef, kegs of 
cider turning to vinegar, crocks of pickles and 
preserves of all kinds, quarters of beef, pans of 
sausage, tubs of lard and butter, and — oh, fruits 
and good things of the earth which we now Imov; 
only as '' a tale that is told." But the cellar of 
to-day accommodates itself to to-day's needs, for 
though we may still lay in some commodities in 
quantity, we know the things of to-morrow can be 
had from the market on comjiaratively short no- 

224 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 225 

tice. Nevertheless, the things of to-day — and some 
other things — must be carefully stowed away, and 
the deeps of the house made hygienic, for as the 
cellar, so will the house be also, and to this might 
be added that as the floor, so will the cellar be also. 

THE CELLAR FLOOR 

In country places, where there is no sewage to 
contaminate the soil, a hard, well-beaten dirt floor 
is not particularly objectionable, except that it can- 
not well be cleaned. Boards raised from the 
ground by small blocks nailed to the under side, 
and leading to bins, cupboards, and furnace room, 
should be laid across it to prevent the tracking of 
dirt to the upper rooms, and these little walks must 
be swept and kept free from dirt and dust. If 
the cellar is floored with boards, the flooring should 
be raised sufficiently to allow free circulation of 
air beneath it ; but the only strictly sanitary floor- 
ing is of concrete, six inches thick, covered from 
wall to wall with Portland or other good cement. 
Cellars, being below the street, and therefore re- 
ceiving some of the surface drainage, are prone 
to dampness, and are easily contaminated by leak- 
age from drains and sewers, and other filth com- 
municated to them through the soil. These condi- 



220 THE COMrLKTE HOME 

tions arc larf!:ely couDteracted by the concrete and 
cement llooiint^, whicli also hum tbo entrance of 
ants and other vermin. The communication of 
damp cellar air, polluted by noxious gases from 
sewers and decaying vegetable matter, to the upper 
l)arts of the liouse is responsible for many an other- 
wise unexplainable case of rheumatism, consump- 
tion, typhoid, and other diseases, and any outlay 
of time and money which can render the cellar 
wholesome and immune to ravages of agents ex- 
ternal and beyond our control, must not be grudged. 

VENTILATION 

One who owns his home can adopt preventive 
measures, such as outside area ways or air spaces, 
impossible to the renter ; but certain ounces of pre- 
vention are available to all. For instance: if drain 
pipes run through the cellar, have them examined 
often for leaks; if there is an open drain, wash it 
out frequently with copperas and water, and give 
it an occasional flushing with chloride of lime or 
lye in strong solution to destroy any jjossible odor 
arising from it; and see that the roof drains do 
not empty too near the house, thus dampening the 
cellar walls. Whitewash the walls semiannually, 
not only for sanitary reasons but to lighten the 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 227 

" darkness visible," and above all else — have suffi- 
cient ventilationl A perfect circulation of air is 
insured wben there are opposite windows; but 
whatever their location, all windows should hang 
from the top on hinges, or be so put in that they can 
be easily removed from the inside ; for open they 
must be, and that all the year round, except in 
the coldest winter weather, and even then they can 
be opened during the warmer hours of the middle 
of the day without danger of freezing the contents 
of the cellar. The cellar can be protected from in- 
vasion from without by galvanized iron netting, 
and wire screens will exclude the flies. Both 
screens must, however, be so adjusted that they 
will not interfere with the opening and closing of 
the windows. 

THE PARTITIONED CELLAR 

The cellar which is partitioned off into small 
rooms is more easily cared for and kept in order 
than that which consists of just the one large space. 
Rough pine-board partitions cost very little, and 
one to shut off the furnace (provided there be one) 
from the rest of the room is absolutely necessary, 
since the heat which it generates must not be 
allowed to spread and so spoil the cellar for cold- 



228 Tim coMPMyri: iio.mi: 

storage purposes, for warm, daiii]* aii- liastons tlio 
degeneralioii of vegeta))lc'S and meats. Unless 
some other i)rovision is made in the cellar ])lan 
for the coal, a strong bin, with one section movable, 
should be built for it in the furnace room. To the 
posts of this bin hang the shovels — one large and 
one small — used in handling the coal. The prema- 
ture burial of many a shovel might have been pre- 
vented had its owner only bethought him of those 
simple expedients, hammer and nails. A strip of 
leather nailed to another post supports ax or 
hatchet, while near by is the neat jDile of kindling 
which its sharp edge has made — perhaps out of 
old and useless boxes and barrels. These must not 
be allowed to accumulate, but be chopped up at 
once. Logs and large sticks have each their own 
pile, while chips, sawdust, and shavings take up 
their abode in a large basket or box. The ashes 
from the furnace go into boxes and barrels outside 
of the house. 

ORDER IN THE CELLAR 

The cellar is primarily a storing place for food, 
and not an asylum for hopelessly maimed and 
decrepit furniture. If there is any which is mend- 
able, mend and use it ; if not, consign it to the 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 229 

kindling pile at once, there to round out its career 
of usefulness. Odds and ends of rubbish collect 
very quickly and make a cellar unsightly and difii- 
cult to keep in order. If necessary to keep certain 
boxes for future packing purposes, pile them neatly 
against the wall where they will be out of the way, 
or else send them up to the attic. When there are 
no rooms partitioned off for their accommodation 
provide bins, or their cheaper substitutes, barrels 
or boxes, for vegetables and fruits — boxes prefer- 
ably, since they are more shallow and their con- 
tents can thus be spread out more. Vegetables 
and fruits should be looked over frequently, and 
anything showing signs of decay removed. In- 
stead of placing boxes and barrels, vinegar kegs, 
firkins, stone jars, etc., directly on the floor, stand 
them on bricks, small stones, or pieces of board. 
When so placed, they are more easily handled and 
moved in cleaning, and the circulation of air be- 
neath prevents dampness and consequent decay. 

SHELVES AND CLOSETS 

A swinging shelf — double or single — held by 
supports at the four corners, securely nailed to the 
joists of the floor above, is almost indispensable to 
the convenience of the cellar. It should be about 

16 



^;io Tin: co.mi'leti: iiomi: 

three feet wide and from six to eight feet in length, 
and may be covered on three sides with galvanized 
wire fly netting, the fourth side to have double 
frame doors, also wire-covered, and swinging out- 
ward. Ordinary cotton netting can be used instead 
of the wire, and is of course cheaper, but must be 
renewed each yeai', while the wire will last indef- 
initely. And so we have evolved a cool, flyless 
place for our pans of milk, meats, cooked and un- 
cooked, fresh vegetables, cakes, pastry, etc. If 
130ultry or meat is to be hung here for a little 
while, wrap it in brown paper or unbleached mus- 
lin. Wash the shelves once a week with sal soda 
water and dry thoroughly. 

A windowless closet as far as possible from the 
furnace, and best built under some small exten- 
sion, thus giving it three cool stone walls, is the 
place where preserves and jellies keep best. Label 
each jar and glass distinctly and arrange in rows 
on the shelves, taller ones behind, shorter in front. 
If there is no closet of this kind, a cupboard, stand- 
ing firmly on the floor, can easily be built, for 
preserves must have darkness as well as coolness ; 
otherwise they are apt to turn dark and to ferment. 
The shelves of the fruit closet must be examined 
frequently for traces of that stickiness which tells 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 231 

that some bottle of fruit is " working " and leak- 
ing. Pickles keep better in crocks on the cellar 
bottom. 

Laundry tubs and scrub pails are usually kept, 
bottom up, in the cellar. All articles stored there 
should be well wrapped in strong paper and se- 
curely tied, and it will be found a great conven- 
ience, especially at cleaning time, to hang many 
things from the ceiling beams. The cellar should 
be swept and put to rights every two weeks, cob- 
webs brushed down, and all corners well looked 
after. Here, as nowhere else, is the personal super- 
vision of the housewife essential. 

THE ATTIC 

It is with a lump in our throats and an ache in 
our hearts that we turn our thoughts wistfully 
baclvward to that place of hallowed memories, 
which is itself becoming simply a memory — the 
attic ! What happy hours we spent there, rumag- 
ing among its treasures, soothed by its twilight 
quiet, and a little awed by the ghosts of the past 
which seemed to hover about each old chest and 
horsehair trunk and gayly flowered carpet bag; 
each andiron and foot warmer and spinning wheel 
and warming pan ! Koof and floor of wide, rough 



232 Till': COMI'I.I/I i: (lo.Mi: 

l)(i;ii(ls, staliictl liv jiu^c .•iiid leaks; tiny, coliwcb-ciir- 
taiiit'd windows; cvciytliini:; dusty, dim, niystuii- 
oiis! Where is it now? (Jone — pushed aside by 
the niarcli of civilization; sui)i)lanted by the mod- 
ern lathed and })lastered attic, with its smoothly 
laid floor, which harbors ueitli^r mice Dor memor- 
ies. And though we sigh as we say so, the attic 
of to-day is a better kept, more compact, more 
hygienic affair than its ancestor; for we have 
grown to realize that sentiment must sometimes be 
sacrificed to sense. Whatever comes we must have 
hygiene, even at the expense of the little spirit 
germ which seems sometimes to develop best in the 
" dim religious light." For we cannot forget Vic- 
tor Hugo and Balzac and Tom Moore in their 
attics. 

ORDER AND CARE OF ATTIC 

Frequently so much of the attic space is fin- 
ished off for bed and other rooms that what re- 
mains is somewhat limited, and cannot be turned 
into a catch-all for the may-be-usefuls. Indeed, 
only such things as have true worth should go into 
it, whatever its size, these to be carefully stowed 
away, like things together — boxes, furniture, win- 
ter stovepipes with their elbows, piles of maga- 
zines systematically tied together by years, trunks, 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 233 

etc. In each trunk place its own special key and 
strap, and when garments or other articles are 
packed therein, fasten to the lid a complete list of 
its contents. Uj)holstered furniture must be closely 
covered with old muslin or ticking. The family 
tool chest seems to fit into the attic, as well as the 
small boxes of nails, rolls of wire, screws, bolts, 
and the hundred odds and ends of hardware which 
the lord of the house must be able to lay his hand 
on when he wants to do any tinkering about the 
place. A semiannual sweeping, mopping, and 
dusting will keep the attic in good condition if 
thoroughly done, with the help of the " place for 
everything, and everything in its place," a precept 
as well as an example which has entered promi- 
nently into the upbringing of most of us. Here is 
another spot where corners and cobwebs like to 
hobnob, and such intimacy must be sternly dis- 
couraged. If old garments are kept in the attic, 
they should be either packed away in labeled boxes 
or trunks, or hung on a line stretched across the 
room and carefully covered with an old sheet. 
This line is also serviceable when rainy days and 
lack of other room make it necessary to dry the 
washing here. The modem attic is for utility only, 
and so its story is soon told. 



234 Tin: tlJ.Ml'LETE HOME 

CLOSETS 

If woman's rights would only usurp one more 
of what liave hitherto been almost exclusively man's 
rights — the profession of architecture — she would 
in truth become the architect, not only of her own 
fortune, but of the fortunes of a suffering sister- 
hood, whose great plaint is, " So many things and 
no place to put them ! " For who ever knew a mere 
man, architect and artist of the beautiful though 
he were, who had even the beginning of a realiza- 
tion of the absolute necessity for closets — large 
ones, light ones, and plenty of them? In his spe- 
cial castle, boxes, bundles, and clothing seem to 
have a magic way of disjDosing of themselves, 
" somewhere, somewhen, somehow," and so it does 
not occur to him that his own particular Clorinda is 
conducting a private condensing plant which could 
put those of the large j^ackers to the blush. But let 
him have just one experience of straightening out 
and putting to rights, and then only will he appre- 
ciate that closets are even more essential than cozy 
corners and unexpected nooks and crannies for 
holding pieces of statuary and collecting dust. If 
a woman could be the " & Com]iany " of every firm 
of architects, there would be an evolution in home 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 235 

building which would lengthen the lives and shorten 
the labors of " lady-managers " in many lands. 
"When that comfortable wish becomes a reality, let 
us hope that " Let there be light " will be printed 
in large black letters across the space to be occu- 
pied by each closet in every house plan, for the 
average closet is so dark that even a self-respecting 
family skeleton would decline to occupy it, evil 
though its deeds are supposed to be. The down- 
pour of the miscellaneous collection of a closet's 
shelves upon the blind groper after some particular 
package thereon, gives convincing proof that ab- 
sence of light means presence of confusion; while 
it also invites the elusive moth to come in and make 
himself at home — ^which he does. 

THE LINEN CLOSET 

But after all, it is a blessed good thing to have 
some closets, even dark ones, and proper care and 
attention will go a long way toward remedying their 
defects. Clothes closets we must have, china closets 
we usually have, and linen closets we sometimes 
have, not always. To the housewife who possesses 
a linen closet it is a source of particular pride, and 
the stocking and care of it her very special pleasure. 
Its drawers should be deep and its shelves wide and 



236 THE C().Ml'Li:ri: J10.M1-: 

\\-(']\ a]inrt — not less tlian oic:litcon inclics, and even 
more ill llio case of the upper ones, for the aecom- 
modation of the reserve supply of blankets, quilts, 
and othci' bed cover iiiijcs. Arrange on tlic lower 
shelves the piles of counterpanes, sheets, and pillow- 
cases in constant use, linen and cotton in separate 
piles, and those of the same size together. Wash- 
cloths and towels, heavy, fine, bath and hand, have 
each their own pile on shelf or in drawer, according 
to room. Shams and otlior dainty bed accessories 
go into the drawers, one of which may be dedicated 
to the neat strips and tight rolls of old linen and 
cotton cloth, worn-out underclothing, etc., as they 
gradually accumulate. Where no provision is made 
for a linen closet, a case of the wardrobe type, 
built along the inner wall of a wide hall, answers 
the purpose very well, and is not unpleasing to the 
eye if made to harmonize with the other woodwork. 
A closet of this kind may vary in width from four 
to six feet, with swinging or sliding doors, prefer- 
ably the latter, and drawers and shelves, or shelves 
alone. Or there may be a cupboard above and 
shelves below, or vice versa. 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 237 
CLOTHES CLOSETS 

Clothes closets of this description can also be 
built against unoccupied bedroom walls, the objec- 
tion to the number of doors thus introduced being 
offset by the great convenience of having one's 
clothing immediately at hand, exposed to light and 
to view directly the doors are opened, for we find 
tilings by sight here, not by faith. Angles and re- 
cesses which have no special excuse for being are 
easily converted into closets, one to be used as a 
hanging place for the various brooms, brushes, 
dustpans, and dusters in use about the house. 
Brooms, by the way, must never be allowed to stand 
upon their bristles, but must either stand upside 
down or hang. Another nook becomes a convenient 
place for hanging canvas or ticking bags filled with 
odds and ends of dress goods, white and colored, 
news and wrapping papers, balls of twine, and 
other pick-me-ups. 

THE CHINA CLOSET 

The china closet is designed for the accommoda- 
tion of everything in use on the dining table, with 
drawers or cupboards for linen and silver, and 
shelves for dishes. The latter should be arranged 



2Ji8 Till: (oMi'Liyri: iiomi: 

with an eye to artistic effect as well as to conven- 
ience, ))latters and decorative plates standing on 
edge and l<ei)t from slii)ping by a strip of molding 
nailed to the shelf, pretty cui)s hanging, and those 
of more common material and design inverted to 
keep out the dust. Stand the large and heavy 
pieces, vegetable dishes, and ]»iles of plates on the 
bottom shelf, and on the next cups and saucers, 
sauce dishes, small plates, etc., placing the smaller 
dishes in front, the taller ones behind. The third 
shelf may be devoted to glass alone, with tum- 
blers inverted and bowls and odd j^ieces tastefully 
arranged, or to both glass and silver. On the fourth 
shelf place such pieces of glass and silver as are 
only occasionally brought into service. Personal 
taste and convenience dictate to a great extent the 
placing of the dishes, but absolute neatness and 
spotlessness must hold sway. No other closet -is 
more prone to disarrangement than the china closet, 
where the careless disposal of one dish seems to 
invite the general disorder which is sure to follow. 
For this reason it demands the frequent rearrang- 
ing which it should receive. Its walls should har- 
monize in color with those of the dining room. 
Small, fringed napkins or doilies on and overhang- 
ing the shelves help to impart an air of daintiness 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 239 

and make a pretty setting for the dishes. When the 
china closet does not connect with the dining room, 
but is a " thing apart," its shelves may receive the 
same treatment accorded those in the pantry — 
white paper or oilcloth covering and valance. 

While well-filled linen and china closets appeal 
to the aesthetic side of the housewife, clothes closets 
speak directly to her common-sense, managerial 
side. If she had a say-so in the matter, their name 
would be Legion, but she must not think over- 
hardly of the few she has, for they are invaluable 
developers of her genius for putting " infinite 
riches in a little room " ; while the constant tussle 
in their depths with moth and dust induces a daily 
enlargement of her moral biceps — and her patience. 
May their shadow never grow less (perish the 
thought!). 

CLOSET TIGHTNESS 

Before anything goes into a closet see that all 
the cracks in the floor are entirely filled with putty, 
plaster of Paris, or sawdust, for otherwise dust and 
lint will accumulate in them, and there the beetle 
will find a house and the moth a nest for herself. 
A^Hiiting and linseed oil mixed well together until 
the paste is smooth will make the putty. The plas- 



^40 TiiK co.Mi'i.i/ri: no.Mi: 

Ut ul' I'aris is easily j»rci»ar('(i Ijy iiiixiu;^ tlie jjow- 
dor with cold water till it is oi" tiio ri^lit consistency 
to spread, hut it hardens so f|uickly tliat only a little 
can be made ready at a time. Or, dissolve one 
jiound of glue ill two tj^allons of water, and stir into 
it enough sawdust to make a thick paste. Any of 
these i)reparations can be colored to match the 
floor, put into the cracks witli a common steel knife, 
and made smooth and even with the boards. A 
better way, however, seems to be to omit the color- 
ing and give the entire floor two coats of paint after 
the cracks are filled. There are those who prefer 
covering the floor with enamel cloth ; but try as we 
will, it is all but impossible to fit it so closely that 
dust and animal life cannot slip under it. 

CLOSET FURNISHING 

The floors attended to, next see that there are 
plenty of hooks screwed on the cleat which should 
extend around three sides of the closet. They must 
be at a convenient height, say five feet, and three 
inches below the first of two or three shelves, to be 
not over fifteen inches apart, thus making at least 
two available for use. On the under side of this 
first shelf screw double hooks, and additional hang- 
ing room can be made by suspending a movable rod 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 241 

across the closet on which to hang coat hooks hold- 
ing garments. Skirts, waists, and coats hold their 
shape far better when disposed of in this way, and 
can be packed closely together. A twelve-inch piece 
of barrel hoop wound with cambric or muslin, and 
with a loop at the center, is a good substitute for 
the commercial hook. On the shelves go hat and 
other boxes, and various parcels, each to be plainly 
labeled. A chest of drawers at one end of the closet 
is handy for the disposal of delicate gowns, extra 
underwear, furs, summer dresses, etc., while a shoe 
bag insures additional order. The soiled-clothes 
hamper belongs, not in the clothes closet, but in the 
bathroom. Too much emphasis cannot be placed 
on this. The odor from the linen pollutes the natu- 
rally close air of the closet and clings to everything 
it contains. 

CARE OF CLOSETS AND CONTENTS 

Wash the woodwork, drawers, floor, and shelves 
of all closets thoroughly with water containing a 
few drops of carbolic acid — not enough to burn the 
hands — and wipe dry. Painted walls which can 
also be washed are most desirable; if calcimined, 
the tinting must be renewed each year. If furs are 
to be put away, brush and beat well, and then comb 



242 Tin: coMriJ/n; iio.mi: 

to ri'iiiovc possible moths oi' o^f^s, si)rinklG witli 
camphor gum, wraj) in old cotton or linon flotb, 
then in nL'wsi)ai)er, and tie securely. Moths, not 
being literary in their tastes, will never enter 
therein. All woolens should be put away in the 
same manner. The closet is clean and sanitary 
now, and the main thing is to keep it so. All gar- 
ments ought to be thoroughly brushed and aiicd 
before hanging away, particularly in the summer 
time, with a special ai^plication of energy to the 
bottoms of street gowns, tlie microscopic examina- 
tion of one of which revealed millions of tubercular 
germs — not a pleasant thought, but a salutary one, 
let us hope. 

It seems such a pity that the sun, that great de- 
stroyer of bacteria, cannot shine into our closets; 
but until the new architect comes to our rescue with 
a window, all we can do to sweeten them is to re- 
move the clothing and air by leaving doors and ad- 
jacent windows open for a couple of hours. An 
annual disinfecting with sulphur fumes will destroy 
all germs of insect life. Use powdered sulphur — 
it is far more effective than the sulphur candles 
which are sold for the same purpose. Stand an old 
pie plate or other tin in a pan of water ; on it build 
a little fire of jjaper and fine kindling, pour on the 



CELLAR, ATTIC, AND CLOSETS 243 

powdered sulphur, and leave to smudge and smoke 
for twenty-four hours. The closet must be sealed 
up as tight as possible, every crack, crevice, and 
keyhole being stuffed with newspaper to prevent 
the fumes from escaping, the entering door, of 
course, being sealed after the fumes are started. If 
one desires the sealing to be doubly sealed, news- 
paper strips two inches wide and pasted together 
to make several thicknesses, can be pasted over 
cracks in doors and windows with a gum-tragacanth 
solution, prepared by soaking two tablespoons of 
the gum in one pint of cold water for an hour, then 
placing the bowl in a pan of boiling water, and stir- 
ring till dissolved. This is easily washed off and 
will not stain or discolor the woodwork. Although 
there is an impression to the contrary, clothing may 
be left in the closet with entire safety during the 
smoking, provided it is well away from the fire. 
Indeed, clothing needs purifying as much as closet, 
and an occasional disinfecting will help on the good 
work of sanitation. After the closet is once rid of 
moths, tar paper specially prepared for the pur- 
pose and tacked on the walls, is effectual in keeping 
them away, for they seem to " smell the battle 
afar off." 



(•iiai"I'i:k' XII 

HANGINGS, BKIC-A-BKAC, BOOKS, AND PICTURES 

STEP by step " is a good thought to hold when 
we reach the fancifying of the house, as we 
only do after days of planning, nights of 
waking, over the must-be's. And, after all, these 
last accessories are divided from the necessaries by 
but a hair line, for it is they which give the home 
its soul — that beautiful, spiritual softness and ra- 
diance which we love and which differentiate the 
home from the house which is but its shell. The life 
and spirit of the home should be one of growth and 
development, which can only be achieved in a 
proper atmosphere and environment ; and these it 
now rests with the home builder to supply in the 
radiant harmony and softness which flow from 
these final " trimmings," which not only create but 
reflect character. 

THE CHARM OF DRAPERY 

Hangings have a considerable share in making 
the homo atmosphere, their mission being to soften 

'2U 



HANGINGS 245 

harsh angles and outlines and warm cold, stiff 
plainness into comfort. Window curtains act as an 
equalizer in bringing the very best out of both light 
and dark rooms, serving at the same time as a par- 
tial background for their contents ; while portieres 
are not only aesthetic but useful in deadening sounds 
cutting otf draughts, and screening one room from 
another. " Drapes," those flimsy, go-as-you-please 
looking bunches of poor taste knotted, cascaded, 
and festooned over mantels, pictures, and chair 
backs, we have outgrown, confining our efforts in 
this line to the silk draught curtain to conceal the 
inelegant yawn of an open grate ; and even this is 
being supplanted by the small screen. 

CURTAINS 

Windows must be curtained with relation to 
their shape and position and the nature of the 
room. The lower floor of the house, being naturally 
the heavier, can be curtained in a statelier manner 
than the lighter upper story. Here is the proper 
place for our handsome curtains of Irish point 
and other appliques of muslin or lace on net, and 
of scrim with insertions and edges of Eenaissance, 
Cluny, and other laces. These curtains are manu- 
factured in three shades — dark cream or ecru, light 

17 



2iG THE CO.MIM.I/ri: IIOMF. 

ivoiy, and pure white, tlie ivory bciug the richest 
and most desirable — and in simple, inexpensive de- 
signs as well as those costly and elaborate, and usu- 
ally run about 50, 54, and (J(J inches wide, and 3^ 
yards long. The ai)pli(iue curtain wears better in 
an elaborate all-over design which holds the net 
together and gives it body, cheaper designs wlii<li 
can be had as low as $8 being coarser in quality and 
pattern. Nottingham curtains must be discredited 
among other imitations ; they are well-meaning but 
both tasteless and cheaply ostentatious. Lace cur- 
tains are rarely draped, but hang in straight sim- 
plicity, most of the fullness being arranged in the 
body that the border design may not be lost in the 
folds. They are shirred with an inch heading on 
rods fastened outside of the window casing over 
which they extend, and care must be taken, if the 
pattern is prominent, that corresponding figures 
hang opposite each other. The double hem at the 
top is nearly twice the diameter of the pole, with 
the extra length turned over next to the window, 
the curtains, w^hen hung, clearing the floor about 2 
inches. They usually stretch dowm another inch, 
which brings them to just the right length. There 
is no between length in curtains; they must be 
either sill or floor len<rth. Over curtains mav or 



HANGINGS 247 

may not be used with tlie lace curtains. They are 
not necessary but have a certain decorative value, 
particularly in a large room. Raw silk, 30 inches 
wide, and costing from $0.75 to $1.50 a yard, is the 
only fabric sold now for this purpose for drawing- 
room use. The inner curtains may be simply side 
curtains, or made with a valance as well, and hang 
from a separate pole to obscure the top of the case- 
ment and just escape the floor, covering the outside 
edges of the lace curtains without concealing their 
borders. The over curtain should reproduce the 
coloring of the side wall and ceiling in a shade 
between the two in density, but if just the right 
tint cannot be caught, recourse to some soft, har- 
monious neutral tint will be necessary. Lining is 
not used unless there is an objection to the col- 
ored curtain showing from the street, when the lin- 
ing silk or sateen must be of the shade of the lace 
curtain. 

Almost any sort of pretty net or scrim curtain 
is appropriate for the downstairs windows, with a 
preference in favor of the more dignified lace in 
the drawing-room. With the other rooms we can 
take more liberty. The ruffled curtain is sash 
length and looped with a band of the same, or with 
a white cotton cord and tassel at the middle sash 



248 'I'm: coMi'Li'/ri': iio.mi-: 

if the window Ix! short, othcnvisc midway })etwGen 
it and the sill. There are fine fisli nets, or fiilh' dc. 
Cadiz, 45, 50, and 60 inclics wide at 50 cents a yard, 
which make charming living- or dining-room cur- 
tains, edged on three sides with the new f-inch 
fringe or fancy edge, at 5 and 10 cents a yard, 
which comes for that purpose ; and madras, plain or 
figured, is also good, a pretty combination being the 
fish net with colored madras over curtain. Raw- 
silk curtains are in use, too, but anything which 
stands too much between the home dwellers and the 
air and light is best avoided. Silk curtains are usu- 
ally trimmed with a brush edge. Glass curtains are 
only necessary as a screen or to soften the harsh 
outline of a heavy curtain, and must be as trans- 
parent and inconspicuous as possible, the right side 
toward the glass. They are sill length, shirred to 
a small brass rod set inside the casing, and draped 
if the over curtain hangs straight, to maintain a 
balance. Those used on windows visible at once 
from the same quarter must be alike. The lace 
panels with a center design which we sometimes see 
in windows, but more frequently in doors, are too 
severe to be either graceful or ornamental. The 
vestibule door is best treated to corresDoud with the 
drawing-room windows, with an additional silk cur- 



HANGINGS 240 

tain to be drawn at night ; or the silk curtain har- 
monizing with the woodwork of the hall may be 
used alone. 

The curtaining of bedroom windows has already 
been discussed at some length. Swisses, dimities, 
figured muslins, and madras, either alone or supple- 
mented by a valance, an over curtain, or both, of 
madras, chintz or cretonne, are preeminently the 
bedroom curtains, and may either be draped or 
hang straight, depending somewhat on the shape of 
the window. The long, narrow window needs the 
broadening effect of the draped curtain, the illusion 
of width being further increased by extending the 
curtain out to cover the casement, while the straight- 
hanging curtain gives additional length to the short 
window. Frilled curtains are usually looped, and 
seemingly increase the size of the room by enlar- 
ging the area of vision. An extra allowance of 6 
inches is made for draping, with an additional inch 
or two for shrinkage. The charm of simplicity is 
always to be borne in mind when curtaining a room. 

PORTIERES 

Portieres must serve their purpose, which is 
most emphatically not that of " drapery " in the 
sense in which the word has been so much used, but 



250 'j'lii: coMPLirri: iiomi: 

of convenience and ulility, l^'aiity, oi' course, being 
the twin sister ol" tiie hitter nowadays. Figured 
portieres with plain walls, and vice versa, are the 
ruk', tlic coloiing l)lending with hoth floor and walls 
and coming between the two in density. Again the 
neutral tint conies to the rescue if difficulty in match- 
ing is met. There is almost an embarrassment of 
riches in portiere materials in plain and figured 
velours, woolen brocades, soft tapestries, furniture 
satins, damasks, velvets, etc., but we are learning 
the true art value of the simpler denims (plain and 
fancy), reps, cotton tapestries, rough, heavy linens, 
and monk's cloth — a kind of jute — for door hang- 
ings. The plain goods in dull, soft greens, blues, 
and browns, with conventional designs in applique 
or outlining, are not only inexjiensive but artistic 
to a high degree, and are easily fashioned by home 
talent. Plain strips, too, are used for trimming, 
and stencil work, but the latter requires rather 
more artistic ability than most of us possess. 
Whatever the material, it must be soft enough to 
draw all the way back and leave a full opening, but 
not so thin as to be flimsy and string5\ The por- 
tiere is either shirred over the pole or hung from 
it by hook safety pins or rings sewed on at inter- 
vals of four inches. Double-faced goods have the 



HANGINGS 251 

hems on the side on which they will show least, with 
any extra length turned over as a valance on the 
same side. The finished curtain should hang one 
inch from the floor and will gradually stretch until 
it just escapes — the proper length. Single-faced 
materials are lined to harmonize with the room 
which receives the wrong side. Lengthwise stripes 
give a long, narrow effect, while crosswise stripes 
give an apparent additional width, and plain mate- 
rials seem to increase the size of a doorway. Rods 
may be either of a wood corresponding with the 
other woodwork, or of brass, with rings, sockets, 
and brackets of the same material, the brass rod 
to be an inch in diameter and the wooden 1| inches 
or more and set inside the jambs. 

Portieres are also of service in softening the 
opening of a large bay window, making a cozy 
corner, or cutting off an awkward length of hall. 
When a doorway is very high it is better to carry 
the portiere to within a foot or so of the top, leav- 
ing the opening unfilled, or supplying a simple 
grille of wood harmonizing with the wood of the 
door. A pretty fashion is to introduce into this 
space a shelf on which to place pieces of brass or 
pottery. Beaded, bamboo, and rope affairs are 
neither draperies nor curtains, graceful, useful nor 



iion 'riii: coMi'Liyri: iiomi: 

ornninoiital, and are conscMjucntly nut to be con- 
sidered. 

Men of science may cry " Down witli dra- 
IDeries ! " — but we members of that choicer cult 
known as domestic science stand loyally by them, 
for though in draperies there may be microbes, 
there is also largess of coziness and geniality. 

BRIC-A-BRAC 

The old-fashioned " whatnot " witli its hun- 
grily gaping shelves is responsible for many crimes 
committed in the name of bric-a-brac, and calls to 
mind sundry specimens with which proud owners 
were wont to satisfy its greed: the glass case of 
wax or feather flowers, flanked and reenforced by 
plush photograph frames, shells, china vases shin- 
ing "giltily," silvered and beribboned toasters, pea- 
cock-feather fans, with perhaps a cup and saucer 
bearing testimony to our virtue with its " For 
a good girl," and other fill-upables, gone but not 
forgotten. And then followed a time when mantels 
and bookcase tops bore certain ills in the way of 
the more modern painted plaques, strings of gilded 
nuts, embroidered banners, and porcelain and brass 
clocks so gaudy and bedizened as to explain why 
time flies. But the architect has come to the rescue 



BRIC-A-BRAC 253 

with his dignified, stately mantel which repels the 
trivial familiarity of meaningless decoration, and 
the bookcase whose simple, quiet elegance is in 
itself decorative. Blessed be the nothingness which 
allows Miladi to build her own art atmosphere un- 
tainted by gifts of well-intentioned but tasteless 
friends. 

THE GROWTH OF GOOD TASTE 

The germs of the capacity for good taste are 
bom in most of us, but must be sedulously culti- 
vated before they can rightly be called taste, and 
bric-a-brac presents the best of possibilities for 
their development. Begin by buying one piece 
which you know to be beautiful — simple and refined 
in outline, choice in design, modest in coloring, and 
fit for the use to which it is to be put — live with 
it, study it, master it. It will take on many unex- 
pected charms as you grow to know it, and wl en 
you are ready to select the next piece you will fii: 
that the germ of your talent for discrimination Las 
quietly become other ten talents and grown into a 
reliable ability to separate the chaff from the 
wheat. Each acquisition will have its own peculiar 
individuality which, once conquered, means a lib- 
eral education. 



254 Till-: ("().MrLi:TK iio.Mi: 

USEFULNESS WITH BEAUTY 

While all ltiic-a-l)rac should be beautiful, some 
certain kinds, such as lamps, clocks, and jardi- 
nieres, are also essentially useful, and these have 
undergone a wonderful transforaiation during 
recent years as a result of the movement toward 
simplicity, honesty of purpose, and fitness. It 
would be hard to imagine anything more incongru- 
ous than the porcelain lamp decorated with flowers 
of heroic endurance which blossomed unwiltingly 
on, regardless of the heat ; or the frivolously deco- 
rated clock when the passing of time is so serious 
a matter; or the gaudy jardiniere, whose coloring 
killed the green of the plant it held. But we have 
grown past this. Now our light at eventide is shed 
through a simple, plain-colored shade of porce- 
lain or of Japan paper and bamboo (if one cannot 
afford the plain or mosaic shades of opalescent 
glass), from an oil tank fitted into a bowl of hand- 
hammered brass or copjDer, or of potteiy, of which 
there are so many beautiful pieces of American 
manufacture in dull greens, blues, browns, grays, 
and reds. These lamps are not expensive — no 
more so than their onyx and brass forbears — and 
are quiet, restful, beneficent in their influence. 



BRIC-A-BRAC 255 

Jardinieres we find in the same wares and color- 
ings, which not only throw the plant into relief but 
tone in with the other decorations of a room in 
which nothing stands out distinct from its fellows, 
but all things work together for harmony. Clocks 
no longer stare us out of countenance, but follow, 
in brass, copper, or rich, dark woods, the sturdy 
simplicity of their ancestor, the grandfather's clock, 
and so become worthy of the place of honor upon 
the mantel, where candlesticks, antique or modern, 
in brass or bronze, also find a congenial resting 
place. 

CONSIDERATIONS IN BUYING 

There are so many vases, jugs, bronzes, medal- 
lions, jars, and bowls that one must needs walk 
steadfastly to avoid buying just for the pleasure 
of it, whereas each piece must be chosen with ref- 
erence to the place it is to occupy and to its asso- 
ciates. Any piece of genuine Japanese art ware, 
of which Cloisonne is perhaps the best known ; old 
or ancestral china; objects of historical interest; 
different examples of American pottery, among 
others the Grueby, Van Briggle, and Teco, with 
their soft, dull glazes, and the Rookwood with its 
brilliantly glazed rich, mellow browns, its deli- 



'2r>(i 'jHi: coMi'Liyn: iio.mi-: 

cately tinted dull his ,i;;l;iz(', and (illicr styles wliicli 
arc being brought out; Wedgwood with its caineo- 
like reliefs; the rainbow-tinted Faviile glass; the 
Cojjenhagen in dull blues and grays — all these em- 
body, each in its individual way, the requirements 
of art bric-a-brac. 

But the brown Rookwood will overshadow the 
Copenhagen, and the multicolored Cloisonne will 
kill the Iris, and so each piece must have a con- 
genial companion if any. And above all, don't 
crowd ! Bric-a-brac needs breathing room, and in- 
dividual beauty is lost in the jumbling together of 
many pieces in a heterogeneous maze of color, 
which confuses and wearies the eye. All the fine- 
art product asks is to be let alone — a small boon 
to grant to so great worth. 

" Tip-overable " flower holders defeat their 
own ends — utility — but there are many which are 
well balanced and beautiful, too: tall, wide- 
mouthed cut, Bohemian, or more simple glass for 
long-stemmed roses, carnations, or daisies; brown 
Van Briggle, Grueby, or Rookwood bowls for nas- 
turtiums, golden rod, and black-eyed Susans; 
green for hollyhocks, dull red for dahlias, gladioli, 
etc., flowers and receptacles thus foniiing a true 
color symphony. 



BOOKS 257 

Parian and Carrara marble, immortally beau- 
tiful, we can but gaze at from afar, but master- 
pieces of the sculptor's chisel are ours at small cost 
in ivory-tinted plaster reproductions of the Venus 
de Milo, the Winged Victory, busts and medallions 
of famous personages, etc., which may with truth 
be called " art for art's sake." 

Dining-room bric-a-brac generally consists of 
whatever occupies the plate rail — an interesting 
array of plates, pitchers, bowls, jars, cups and 
saucers, steins, cider mugs, and tankards. And 
here our cherished ancestral china finds a safe 
haven from which it surveys its young, modern 
descendants with benignant toleration. 

BOOKS 

A spirit of friendliness and companionship ra- 
diates from a good book — a geniality to be not only 
felt, but cultivated and enjoyed. The friendship of 
man is sometimes short-lived and evanescent, but 
the friendship of books abideth ever. Paraphras- 
ing " Thanatopsis " : 

" For our gayer hours 
They have a voice of gladness, and a smile 
And eloquence of beauty, and they glide 
Into our darker musings, with a mild 
And healing sympathy, that steals away 
Their sharpness, ere we are aware." 



258 THE coMrLiyrr: iiomi: 

Truly, a liouk i'or every mood, ami a mood i'or 
every book. 

THEIR SELECTION 

The true measure of a book is not " TTow well 
does it entertain," but " llow mucli liel}) does it 
give in the daily straggle to overcome the bad with 
the good," and as one makes friends with muscle- 
giving authors the fancy for light-minded ac- 
quaintances among books gradually wears away. 
Although different tastes require special gratifica- 
tion in certain directions, yet some few books must 
have i^lace in every well-balanced libraiy. First 
always, the Bible, with concordance complete for 
study puri30ses, a set of Shakesi^eare in small, 
easily handled volumes, a set of encyclopaedias, and 
a standard dictionary. Then some of the best 
known poets — Milton, Spenser, Pope, Goldsmith, 
Bums, Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, the Brown- 
ings, Byron, ITomer, Dante, etc., with Longfellow, 
Riley, and some others of our best-loved Ameri- 
can poets — for though we may not care for poetry 
we cannot afford to deny ourselves its elevating 
influence; standard histories of our own and other 
countries ; familiar letters of great men which also 
mirror their times — Horace Walpole, Lord Macau- 



BOOKS 259 

lay, etc.; essays of Bacon, Addison, DeQuincey, 
Lamb, Irving, Emerson, Lowell, and Holmes ; and 
certain works of fiction which have stood the test 
of time and criticism, with Dickens and Thackeray 
heading the list. Indulgence in all the so-called 
" popular " novels of the day, like any other dissi- 
pation, profits nothing, and vitiates one's taste for 
good literature at the same time. Therefore, hold 
fast that which is known to be good in novels, with 
here and there just a little spice of recent fiction,- 
for man cannot live by spice alone, which causes a 
sort of mental dyspepsia which is very hard to 
overcome. 

SETS 

An appetite for " complete sets " is a perverted 
one which usually goes with a love for the shell of 
the book rather than its meat. It is better far to 
prune out the obscure works and buy, a few at a 
time if necessary, the best known works of favor- 
ite authors, than to clutter up one's bookshelves 
with volumes which will never be opened. Partial 
sets acquired in this way can be of uniform edition 
and gain in value from those which are left in the 
shop. 



:^'(i() Tin: COM i'i,i 7n: iio.mi: 

BINDING 

Books, like our other friends, have an added 
attraction if tastily clothed. Good cloth bindings, 
not too ornate or strong in color, are substantial 
and usually best for the home library. Real 
leather bindings of morocco or pigskin are rich 
and suggestive of good food within, but imitation 
leather must join other domestic outcasts. Though 
it may look well at first it soon shows its quality of 
shabby-genteel. Calf has deteriorated because of 
the modern quick method of tanning by the use of 
acids, which dries the skin and causes it to crack." 
Books in party attire of white paper and parch- 
ment and very delicate colors are not good com- 
rades, for the paper cover which must be put on to 
protect the binding is a nuisance, while without it 
" touch me not " seems to be written all over the 
book. Our best book friends are not of this kind, 
but ])ermit us to be on terms of friendly intimacy 
with them, receiving as their reward all due meed 
of courteous treatment. There can be no true rev- 
erence for books in the heart of the vandal who 
leaves marks of disrespectful soiled fingers on their 
pages, turns down their leaves, and breaks their 
backs by laying them open, face do\vu. 



BOOKS 261 



PAPER 



Their paper should be of a good quality, not too 
heavy, and the type clear, both of which conditions 
usually obtain in an average-priced book. Their 
housing has much to do with their preservation. 
Dampness is, perhaps, their deadliest enemy, not 
only rotting and loosening the covers, but mildew- 
ing the leaves and taking out the " size " which 
gives them body. An outside wall is always more 
or less damp, and for this reason the bookcase must 
stand out from it at least a foot, if it stands there 
at all, and preferably at right angles to it. Dust is 
also an insidious enemy, from which, in very sooty, 
dirty localities, glass doors afford the best protec- 
tion. These must be left open occasionally to ven- 
tilate the case, for books must have air and light to 
keep them fresh and sweet and free from damp- 
ness, but not sun to fade their covers. Intense arti- 
ficial heat also affects them badly, wherefore, the 
upper part of the room being the hotter, cases 
should never be more than eight feet high, the use 
of window seat and other low cases having very 
decided advantages, apart from their decorative 
value. Whatever the design of the case — and, of 
course, it must harmonize with the other wood of 

18 



2()2 TlIK tOMl'LK'li: UO.MK 

tlio room — its shelves must be easily adjustable to 
books of (liftVrcnt heights, standing in eoiai)act 
rows and nut hall' oi)ened to become i)ermanently 
warped and spoiled. Varnished or painted shelves 
grow sticky willi beat and form a strong attach- 
ment for their contents. The bookcase curtain is 
useful more as a protection against dust than as 
an art adjunct, for there is nothing more delightful 
to the cultivated eye than the brave front presented 
by even, symmetrical rows of well-bound volumes, 
so suggestive of hours of i^rofitable companion- 
ship. All the books must be taken down frequently 
and first beaten separately, then in pairs, and 
dusted, top and covers, with a soft biush or a small 
feather duster. 

" The true University of these days is a Collec- 
tion of Books," and one's education cannot begin 
too early. 

PICTURES 

So many homes combining taste and elegance 
and refinement in their furnishing, still impress 
one with the feeling that somewhere within the lute 
there is a rift which destroys its perfect hannony, 
and that rift is not far to seek — it lies in the pic- 
tures. Cheap chromos, lithograjDhs, and woodcuts 



PICTURES 263 

have small excuse for being in these days of fine 
reproductions in photographs, photogravures, and 
engravings, and their presence in a home indicates 
not only a lopsided development of the artistic 
sense, but an indifference to that beauty of which 
art is but one of the expressions. Happy, indeed, 
is the homemaker in realizing the necessity and 
privilege of growing up to the works of artists who 
have seen beauty where she would have been blind, 
and felt to a depth which she has not known; for 
in that realization lies the promise of ability to rise^ 
to the point where she will at last be able to feel as 
the artist felt when he wrought. 

ART SENSE 

Mrs. Lofty, who never has to stop to count the 
cost, loses the valuable art education which our 
housewife all unconsciously acquires in the months 
which necessarily pass between her picture pur- 
chases — months in which she has time to discover 
new beauties, fresh interest, deeper meaning, in 
those she already has. All these new impressions 
she carries with her to the selection of her next 
treasure, and the result will probably be a choice of 
g:"eater artistic merit than she would have been 
capable of making before. So long as there is 



264 Tin: ("OMPLETK IIO.Mi: 

somotliing in a picture wiiicli impresses her, tlio 
fact that she does not i'ully understand its under- 
lying meaning need be no obstacle to its purchase ; 
the light of coniprohension will come. 

THE INFLUENCE OF PICTURES 

The picturing of the home should be undertaken 
in no light humor, for better no pictures at all than 
poor ones. Little, trivial, meaningless nothings 
are like small talk — uninspiring and devitalizing — 
■and therefore unprofitable; battle and other excit- 
ing scenes wear on the ner\^es ; the constant pres- 
ence of many persons is tiring in i)ictures as well 
as out; small figures and fine detail which carmot 
be distinguished across the room cause visual 
cramp; and the rearing horse which keeps one 
longing for the rockers cannot be called reposeful. 
Any picture in which one seeks in vain the rest and 
peace and quietude and inspiration which the home 
harmony demands, is but a travesty of art — domes- 
tically speaking. There is probably nothing more 
rest-giving than the marine view, and next come 
the pretty pastoral and cool woodland scenes, while 
madonnas and other pictures of religious signifi- 
cance express their own worth — just a few choice, 
well-selected photograj^hs, etchings, and engrav- 



PICTURES 265 

ings of agreeable subjects, with a painting or two; 
that's all we want. 

OIL PAINTINGS 

Really fine oils are costly, and no house can 
stand more than one or two at most, because of the 
impossibility of giving them the correct lighting 
and the distance they require, without which their 
best effect is lost. Properly, an oil painting should 
be given a wall or even a whole room to itself, as 
water colors and colored prints seem colorless, and 
black-and-whites cold, by comparison. The deep 
gold frame is its best setting. Gold frames and 
mats are usually effective on colored pictures of 
any kind in bringing out certain colors, dark ones 
especially, though artists are growing to use wood 
frames filled to harmonize with and throw into re- 
lief some one tone in the picture, the mat taking the 
same color. Gilt has no place on photographs, 
etchings, or engravings, their simple, flat frames of 
oak, birch, sycamore, etc., with their mats, if mats 
are used, toning with the gray, brown, or black of 
the picture. Fantastically carved and decorated 
frames are things of the past, both frame and mat 
being now essentially a part of the picture and 
blending with it, while setting it off to the best ad- 



260 THK COMPLETE HOME 

vantage. Passepartout is an inexpensive substi- 
tute for framing, particularly of small pictures, 
and is effectively employed with a i)roperly colored 
mat and binding. White mats are still in occa- 
sional use for water colors and for black-and- 
whitcs, but for }ihotograi)hs we find a more grate- 
ful warmth in following the tone of the picture. 

ENGRAVINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS 

Engravings and photogravures most satisfac- 
torily reproduce paintings, as hand work always 
has more life than the photogi'aphic copy. All re- 
productions, however, bring the works of world- 
famous artists within our reach, and enable us to 
be on intimate tenns with the animals of Rosa 
Bonheur, the peasants of Millet, the portraits of 
Eembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Sargent, and 
Gainsborough, the landscapes of Corot, Daubigny, 
Dupre, and Turner, and the madonnas of Rai»liael, 
Botticelli, Bodenhauser, and Correggio. Amateur 
IDhotography, with its soft jDastel effects in black, 
green, white, red, and gray, is making rapid strides 
and doing much to advance the cause of art in the 
home. The hand-colored photograph is acceptable 
if the coloring is true and rightly applied, while 
certain charming colored French prints, so like 



PICTURES 267 

water colors as to be hardly distinguishable from 
them, have distinct worth. Then there are the re- 
productions of our present-day illustrators, in both 
black-and-white and colors, and in which we seem 
to have a personal interest. Originals are always 
costly and hard to get, the exception being the 
obscure but worthy artist whose fame and fortune 
are yet to be won. The carved Florentine frame is 
a valuable setting for certain colored heads or 
painted medallions. 

SUITABILITY OF SUBJECTS 

Although any good picture may be hung with 
propriety in almost any of the first-iSoor rooms, 
heads of authors and pictures having historic and 
literary significance seem especially suggestive of 
the library; musicians and musical subjects of the 
music room, or wherever one's musical instruments 
may be ; dignified subjects, such as cathedrals, with 
the game and animal pictures which used to hang 
in the dining room, of the hall ; while we now pic- 
ture our dining room with pretty landscapes or 
anything else cheery and attractive. Family por- 
traits, if we must have them, hang better in one's 
own room, but really their room is better than their 
company, as a rule. 



J2(j.s THE a)MrLi:'ri: iio.mi: 

HANGING OF PICTURES 

As to liaii^iiiLC pictures, the main tiling is to 
have them on a level with the eye, and each subject 
in a good light — dark for light parts of the room, 
light for dark. Small pictures are most effective 
in groups, hung somewhat irregularly and com- 
pactly. All pictures lie close to the wall, suspended 
by either gilt or silvered wire, whichever tones best 
with the wall decoration. The use of two separate 
wires, each attached to its own hook, is preferable 
to the one wire, whose triangular effect is inharmo- 
nious with the horizontal and vertical lines of the 
room. Small pictures are best hung with their 
wires invisible, thus avoiding a network on the 
walls. 



CHAPTER XIII 

THE NICE MACHINEKY OF HOUSEKEEPING 

"Solomon Grundy, 
Born on Monday, 
Christened on Tuesday, 
Married on Wednesday, 
Took ill on Thursday, 
Worse on Friday, 
Died on Saturday, 
Buried on Sunday. 
That's the end of 
Solomon Grundy." 

THIS little tale serves to show how it simpli- 
fies life to have a time for everything and 
everything in its time. System was prob- 
ably a habit in the Grundy family, and was so bred 
in Solomon's bones that it never occurred to him 
that he could reverse the order observed by the 
Grundys for generations back and be married on 
Thursday, for instance. And yet there is room for 
conjecture as to how much difference it might have 
made in his life if he had elected to contract an alli- 
ance on that day instead of a fatal illness. System 

269 



270 Tin: co.MrM/ri: iio.mi: 

is a iiiiL' servant, but a jjuur iiiaslur. Simply be- 
cause custom lias decreed that Monday shall be 
wash (lay, Tuesday ironiug day, and so on, it does 
not necessarily follow that this i)rogranime must 
be strictly adhered to in every family, or that the 
schedule of the week's work, once made out, cannot 
be changed to meet the unexpected exigencies 
which are apt to arise. To be sure, Monday as 
wash day has many points in its favor; but if it 
must be postponed until Tuesday, or the clothes 
have not dried well and the ironing has to go over 
into Wednesday, there is no reason why the whole 
domestic harmony should become " like sweet bells 
jangled, out of tune and harsh." Although order 
is heaven's first law, it occasionallj^ happens that 
it is better to break the law than to be broken by it. 
And so, when the young housekeeper's nicely ar- 
ranged plans for each day in the week are suddenly 
turned topsy-tur\^, let her take heart of gi'ace, re- 
membering that there are whole days that " ain't 
teched yet," and begin again. 

MONDAY 

The chief objection to washing on Monday is 
that it necessitates sorting and putting the soiled 
linen to soak on Sunday, which not only violates 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 271 

the religious principles of many households, but 
shortens and spoils the flavor of the maid's free 
Sabbath evening. Then, too, the sorting of the 
linen often reveals holes and rents which should 
properly be repaired before laundering increases 
the damage, and a Tuesday washing makes this 
possible, with the straightening out and readjust- 
ment generally necessary after Sunday. On the 
other hand, the longer the linen remains unlaun- 
dered the more difficult it is to cleanse, with the risk 
that good drying days may tarry and the ironing 
thus linger along till the end of the week, which is 
inconvenient and bothersome all round. Therefore 
it seems quite advisable for Mrs. Grundy to wash 
on Monday, and an occasional postponement until 
Tuesday will not then be a matter of any great mo- 
ment. The routine work of every day — the airing, 
brushing up, and dusting of the rooms, the prepara- 
tion and serving of meals at their regular hours, 
the chamber work, dish-washing, in short, all the 
have-to-be-dones, must not, and need not, be inter- 
fered with by the special work which belongs to 
each day. There are hours enough for both, and 
rest time, too, unless the housekeeper or maid be 
cut after the pattern of Chaucer's Sergeant of the 
Law: 



27J^ Tin: ( OMIM.l/li: HOME 

"Nowhcr so l)isy a ruiiii as lie tlicr iias, 
And yet he semed bisier than he was." 

Wash day is always somewLat (jI" an oivlcal, and 
a long pull, a stroiiu' imll, and a imll all together is 
necessary to carry it successfully through, A sim- 
l)le breakfast will give the maid an opportunity to 
sort and put the clothes to soak, if this was not 
done the night previous, heat water for the wash- 
ing, and perhaps prepare vegetables for the day's 
meals, before breakfast is served; and if her mis- 
tress lends a helping hand with the dishes^ dusting, 
or other regular work of the day, she can go to her 
tubs just that much earlier. Getting up in the wee 
sma' hours and working by early candle light is 
misdirected ambition. The maid needs her rest to 
fit her for her day's labors, and washing well done 
requires the light of day. Set the breakfast hour 
ahead half an hour and so gain a little extra time. 
Foresight and extra planning on Saturday will 
provide certain left-overs from Sunday's meals 
which can be quickly and easily transfomied into 
Monday's luncheon. Dinner, too, should be a sim- 
ple meal, but don't add to the other trials of the day 
cold comfort at meal time. A smoking-hot dinner 
has a certain heartening influence to which we are 
all more or less susceptible. The doors leading 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 273 

from the room in which the washing is done must 
be kept closed to exclude the steamy odor from the 
rest of the house, and the maid allowed to proceed 
with her work without interruption. By eleven 
o'clock she will probably have reached a point 
where she can stop to prepare luncheon. If the 
family is very small, she can frequently do not only 
the washing but considerable of the ironing as well 
on Monday, but that is crowding things a little too 
much. After the washing is accomplished the line 
should be drawn at what must be done, and nothing 
which is not absolutely necessary put into the few 
remaining hours of the day, for the maid's back 
and arms have had quite enough exercise for the 
time being. If a laundress is employed, the clean- 
ing of the kitchen floor and the laundry and the 
ironing should be about accomplished by night, un- 
less it seems best to have her clean and do other 
extra work after the washing is finished. If the 
housewife is her own laundress, she must acquire 
the gentle art of letting things go on the hard days, 
for she cannot possibly be laundress, maid, and 
house-mother all in one, and her health and well- 
being are of prime importance. 



274 '11 li: (OMl'Ll/li; HOME 



TUESDAY 

Tlie washing being done on Monday, it natu- 
lally follows that Mrs. Grundy irons on Tuesday, 
after the regular routine work has been dispatched. 
The first thought is the fire, if the ironing is done 
by a coal range. After breakfast is prepared the 
fire box should be filled with coal to the top of the 
lining, and draughts opened, to be closed as soon 
as the surface coal begins to burn red, the top of the 
stove blushed off, and the irons set on to heat. This 
is a good ijlace to sandwich in a little baking, before 
the fire becomes too hot for cakes or delicate pas- 
try. If the maid feels that she nmst devote this 
time to the preparation of vegetables, or to other 
work which is liable to interfere with her work 
later on, madam may choose to step into the breach 
and try her hand at sundry delectables for the iron- 
ing-day luncheon or dinner, both meals being as 
simple as consistent with comfort and health. The 
ironing, once commenced, should continue uninter- 
ruptedly until time to prepare luncheon, when the 
irons are i)ushed back and the fire shaken or raked 
and replenished. By this time the clothes bars 
should begin to take on a comfortable look of full- 
ness. It is well to keel) thciii covered with cheese- 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 275 

cloth as a protection from dust and soot and, in 
summer, fly specks. If any frying is to be done, set 
the bars in another room until it is over and the 
kitchen thoroughly aired, otherwise the odor will 
cling to the clothes. After luncheon the range is 
cleaned and the irons drawn forward to heat for 
the afternoon session ; and by the time the table is 
cleared, dishes washed, and kitchen brushed up, 
both they and the maid are ready for the renewed 
onslaught. Though it may occasionally run over 
into the next day, the average ironing ought to be 
completed during the afternoon and remain well 
spread out on the bars overnight to dry and air. 
Tuesday, though a full day, is so clean and neat 
that there is no reason why the maid should not 
keep herself equally so and be ready to serve the 
table and attend the door without further prepara- 
tion than slipping on her white apron — and cap, if 
she wears one. 

WEDNESDAY 

On Wednesday Mrs. Grundy mends and puts 
away the clean clothes and picks up some of the 
household stitches which had to be dropped on the 
two preceding days. The kitchen must be put in 
order, the refrigerator must have its semiweekly 



27() Tin: ( o.MiM.i: ri: iio.Mi-: 

cleaning, and the aslies wiiicli liave accumulated in 
the stove removed, a new fire built, and the hearth 
washed. While the oven is heating for the mid- 
week baking there are vestibules and porches to 
wash, walks to sweej), the cellar to investigate, and 
a dozen little odds and ends to attend to which, with 
the baking, make a busy morning. The cleaning oi' 
silver dovetails nicely with the Wednesday work, 
and during the canning season the preserving of 
fruit can be done at this tune with the least inter- 
ference with the other work of the house, though 
when it becomes a case of the fruit being ripe, other 
work must give way for the nonce. In short, 
Wednesday is the general weekly catch-all into 
which go all the odd jobs for which room cannot be 
found elsewhere. 

THURSDAY 

It is Mrs. Grundy's theory, strengthened - by 
practical experience, that it is better to extend the 
weekly sweeping and cleaning over two days than 
to condense it all into one ; and so Phyllis takes the 
bedroom cleaning as her special Thursday work, 
and armed with broom, dustpan, pail, and cleaning 
cloths, she ascends to the upper regions as soon as 
she has reduced the lower to their everyday nicety. 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 277 

The daily brushing up with broom or carpet 
sweeper removes the surface dirt, but sweeping 
day means a good " digging out." She commences 
operations by sweeping out the closet and wiping 
off the floor with a cloth wrung out of hot borax 
water. Then she brushes down, rolls or folds all 
curtains and draperies, and fastens them up as 
near the pole as possible, perhaps slipping a case 
over each as a protection from the dust. If the bed 
is hung with a valance, that, too, is pinned up. All 
small toilet articles and knicknacks are dusted and 
placed on the bed, and covered with a dust sheet of 
coarse unbleached muslin, or calico ; bowl, pitcher, 
and other crockery are washed and dried, inside 
and out, and placed in the closet, with dresser and 
stand covers, which have been shaken out of the 
window. These, if soiled, are relegated to the 
clothes hamper, to be replaced by fresh ones. 
Chairs and easily moved articles of furniture are 
dusted and set outside of the room. If there is a 
fire the ashes are carefully removed and brushed 
from the stove; the windows are opened unless 
there is a strong wind, when they are opened a 
little after the cleaning is done, and the sweeping 
begins. 

The broom should be of about medium weight, 

19 



278 'iiii; (oMrurrE iiomk 

lu'ld alinosl j)('r]ioii(li('iilaily and passed over the 
carpet with a long, light stroke and steady pressure 
which will not scatter the dirt, and tinned every 
lew strokes that both sides may receive equal 
WTar. Steps can be saved by sweejiing to a central 
point, going with the nap of the carpet, never 
against it, taking special care to dislodge the dust 
which gathers between the edges of the carpet and 
the baseboard. Shreds of dampened paper, or 
damp bran scattered over the carpet facilitate its 
cleaning ; or in lieu of these the broom may be wet 
and shaken as free from water as possible before 
using. Any method of keeping down the dust 
saves much cleaning of woodwork, walls, and pic- 
tures. Rugs are swept in the same w^ay as carpets. 
After they are cleaned the edges are turned up and 
the bare floor gone over with a long-handled hair 
brush, or with a broom covered with a Cauton- 
flannel bag. If the floor is painted, follow the 
duster with a damp cloth; if hardwood, rub well 
with a flannel slightly moistened with crude oil and 
turi^entine. Small rugs are taken out of doors and 
shaken or beaten. They must be held by the sides, 
never by the ends. Matting should be swept with 
a soft broom and wiped over with a damp cloth, 
using as little water as possible, and no soap, which 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 279 

stains and discolors it. Eubbing with a clotK 
wrung out of hot water will usually take out the 
spots which the regular cleaning has failed to re- 
move, while grease spots yield to the application of 
a thin paste of fuller's earth left for three days 
and then brushed off. Rooms not in daily use do 
not need a thorough sweeping oftener than every 
two weeks, a whisk broom and carpet sweeper suf- 
ficing between times. 

While the dust is settling put a fresh bag or a 
clean, soft duster on the broom and brush off ceil- 
ing and walls, using a straight downward stroke 
for the latter. The cloth must be renewed when it 
becomes soiled. A long-handled feather duster is 
handy for cleaning moldings and cornices. This, 
by the way, is the only legitimate use to which a 
feather duster can be put, in addition to dusting 
books and the backs and wires of pictures. Instead 
of taking up the dust, it simply sets it free to settle 
elsewhere, making a lingering trouble, long drawn 
out ; for though one may whisk around with it and 
then enjoy the conscious virtue which comes with 
having " one more thing out of the way," the com- 
placency is short-lived and the cheesecloth duster 
finally has to come to the rescue. All dusters 
should be hemmed, otherwise the ravelings are apt 



2H0 Till': (o.MPLi/ri: iiomi^ 

to catcli Mild pull down tlic liric-a lii'iu-. After tho 
walls IMiyllis dusts the woodwork and goes over it 
\vith a t'ieau, damp cloth, not omitting doorknobs, 
and looking out for finger marks in likely places. 
If these are stubborn, a little kerosene in the clean- 
ing water will help on the good work. She brushes 
and wipes off the window casings and gas fixtures, 
dusts and replaces the furniture, polishes the mir- 
rors, and washes the windows the last thing, pro- 
vided the sun is not shining on them at this time. 
If so, the work will have to be deferred and slijiped 
in with sjiecial work of some other time. In locali- 
ties where there is little smoke the weekly washing 
may be dispensed with, dusting off each pane with a 
soft cloth being all that is necessary. In freezing 
weather this is the only cleaning possible, though if 
the glass is much soiled it can be gone over with 
a sponge wet with alcohol ; or with whiting mixed 
with diluted alcohol or ammonia, followed by much 
the same rubbing process employed in cleaning 
silver, with a final polishing with soft paper, tissue 
preferably, which gives the finest possible shine to 
any vitreous surface. If there are inside or outside 
blinds, they must be well brushed, and casings and 
sills which are much soiled washed, before the 
glass is cleaned. The requirements for successful 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 281 

window cleaning are a third of a pail of hot water 
containing a little ammonia or borax, plenty of 
clean, soft cloths free from lint, a complete absence 
of soap, and a decided presence of energy — aye, 
there's the rub! The less water used the better. 
Instead of allowing it to run down in tears, squeeze 
the cloth out nearly dry, going quickly over one 
pane at a time, following immediately with a dry 
cloth, and then polishing. Wrap the cleaning cloth 
around a skewer and go into the corners and 
around the edges of the glass. Nothing is more 
productive of distorted vision than looking through 
a glass darkly. Wherefore, for the sake of the 
mental as well as the physical eye, see that Phyllis's 
window cleaning is a success. 

After the bedrooms are in order the halls and 
passages on the same floor, and the bathroom, are 
swept and cleaned. 

FRIDAY 

On Friday Mrs. Grundy's living rooms and 
first-floor halls are treated to their weekly renova- 
tion, which is similar to that which the bedrooms 
receive, only there is more of it. The preparation 
of the drawing-room for sweeping is more elabo- 
rate, containing, as it does, more pieces of fumi- 



282 Tin: (o.MiM,i:'i'i: iiomi-: 

turo and l)ri<'-a-ljr;i<- to lie cai'cd I'ur. All iiiovalilc 
pieces are dusted aud taken 1 roni the room. Uphol- 
stered furniture must be well brushed, going down 
into the tufts and i)uffs with a i)ointed ])rush sim- 
ilar to that used by i)ainters, and ])i('C('s which are 
too large to move covered with a dust sheet. A 
vigorous brushing with a wliisk l)ro(»iii will be 
necessary around the edges of the carpet, in the 
comers, and under the heavy furniture. ]\Iirrors 
must be jiolished, glasses, frames, backs, aud wires 
of i)ictures wiped off, and fancy carving which the 
duster will not reach cleaned out with a soft brush. 
If the room contains a marble mantel, it can be 
cleaned with sajiolio or almost any good scouring 
powder, and tiles washed with soap and water. The 
fireplace should be cleaned out before the sweeping 
is done, and the hearth brushed, with a bath after- 
wards. Brass trimmings and utensils in use about 
the grate can be easily kept clean by rubbing first 
with kerosene and then with red jDomade; but if 
neglected and allowed to become tarnished, it is 
somewhat of an undertaking to restore them to 
their pristine brightness. In an extreme case rub 
with vinegar and salt, wash off quickly, aud follow 
with some good polish. Results obtained in this 
way are not lasting, and the vinegar and salt should 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 283 

be resorted to only after other well-tried means 
have failed. Another home cure for tarnished 
brass and other metals is a mixture of whiting, four 
jDOunds; cream of tartar, one quarter pound; and 
calcinated magnesia, three ounces. Apply with a 
damp cloth. 

The dust will settle while the brasses are being 
cleaned, and then the carpet or rug should be 
brushed over a second time, lightly, and may be 
brightened once a month or so by rubbing, a small 
space at a time, with a stiff scrubbing brush dipped 
in ammonia water — two tablespoons of ammonia to 
a gallon of water — and then quickly wiping over 
with a dry cloth. The chandeliers and gas fixtures 
should be wiped with a cloth wrung from weak 
suds, the globes dusted or washed as required, and 
a doubled coarse thread drawn back and forth 
through the gas tips, if gas is in use. Registers 
should be wiped out and dusted every sweeping 
day to prevent the accumulation of dust. All 
woodwork, if painted, is dusted and then wiped 
down with a damp cloth ; if hardwood, use the crude 
oil and turpentine, going into grooves and corners 
with a skewer, and rub hard with a second clean 
flannel. Hardwood floors receive the same treat- 
ment after being swept, and it is a good plan to go 



284 Tin-: co.MPLi/ri: ho.mi: 

over nil llic rui-iiiliin' in the same way to preserve 
the life and fine finish of the wood, ])nt it is impera- 
tive that the wood be rubbed ahsolutdy dry. 

"When the windows have been waslied, furniture 
replaced, and everything is in apple-jjie order in 
the drawing-room, each of the remaining rooms is 
cleaned in like manner, ending with the hall, where 
each stair is brushed with a whisk broom into the 
dust pan, and carpet, walls, ceiling, and woodwork 
attended to as in the other rooms. The dusting 
cloths and broom bags should go regularly into 
the weekly wash. It is far better to do one room 
complete at a time than to have a whole floor torn 
up at once. Just because it is sweeping day is no 
reason for turning the family into a whole flock 
of Noah's doves, with no place for the soles of their 
feet. It is very easy to transfonn black Friday 
into good Friday by a little judicious manipulation 
of the household helm. The cleaning, in addition 
to the routine work, is about all Friday can hold, 
without crowding. A few anxious thoughts for 
the morrow's baking will provide all things neces- 
sary to it, so there will be no delay about commenc- 
ing it J for — 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 285 
SATURDAY 

Saturday Mrs. Grundy devotes to providing 
for the wants of the inner man. The heaviest part 
of the day's work is the preparation of food for 
two or three days. Then the refrigerator must 
have its second cleaning, and the pantry, too, prob- 
ably requires renovating by this time. Entries 
must be cleaned, a second tour of inspection of the 
cellar made, and the house put in trim for the " day 
that comes betwixt a Saturday and Monday." 

HOUSE CLEANING 

This is not the domestic bugbear it used to be, 
when one mighty spasm of cleanliness shook the 
house from garret to cellar and threw its inmates 
into a fever of discomfort and dismay. The mod- 
ern house-cleaning season is one of indolence and 
ease compared with what it once was, when not 
only the cleaning and living problem, but the man 
problem as well, had to be solved ; when the master 
sighed for a spot in some vast wilderness, vaguely 
wondering, as he dined lunch-counter fashion and 
then gingerly wound his weary way through a 
labyrinth of furniture, boxes, and rolls of carpet 
to his humble couch set up behind the piano or in 



2H() TIIK ("OMlMJ'/n: IIO.MI-: 

sonic otlicr unlikely ])lac'e, If iiiarria<i:(' were a fail- 
ure, while contact with the business end of a tack 
gave point to his thoughts. No, indeed I 'i'he 
spring and autunui of his discontent are made glo- 
rious summer now by the more civilized system 
which, beginning at the attic and working down-, 
"ward, cleans one room, or perhaps two at a time, as 
a day's work, restoring everything to order before 
a new attack is made. 

PREPARATION 

The task of cleaning a house in which the regu- 
lar work is systematically carried on is not so very 
arduous, and follows the general plan of the weekly 
cleaning. Before the real work begins have a gen- 
eral overhauling and weeding out of cubbies, 
boxes, and trunks, scrub out drawers and reline 
with clean paper, and clean clothespresses, ward- 
robes, and closets. In the spring, there will be furs 
and flannels to shake, brush, and put away, and in 
the fall, summer clothing. Before the sjiring 
cleaning the stoves must be taken down and cleaned 
out, stovepipes cleaned and rubbed with boiled oil 
to prevent rust, and both put away in the attic. 
Chimneys, too, must be cleaned, and if the heating 
is by furnace, it should be put in order and all its 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 287 

parts swept free from soot, covering tlie registers 
during the operation. This is better done in the 
spring so the summer winds cannot scatter the dust 
and soot through the house. The supply of coal 
and wood for the ensuing year should be put into 
the cellar, and then the preliminaries are over. The 
fall cleaning must be delayed until the canning and 
pickling are all done, and the " busy, curious, 
thirsty fly " is pretty well extinct. Now is the best 
time for painting, whitewashing, papering, and 
other decorating and repairing. If done in the 
spring, its freshness is bound to be more or less 
spoiled by insects during the summer, be as careful 
as one may. 

CLEANING DRAPERIES, RUGS, CARPETS 

The first step in the real cleaning is to take 
down draperies, shake well, hang out on the line, 
right side under, and beat out the dust with a dog- 
or riding-whip. Follow with a hard brushing on 
the wrong side and wipe down quickly with a damp 
cloth, following the nap, if there is one. Lace and 
muslin curtains are repaired, if necessary, and 
laundered, or sent to the cleaner. If only slightly 
soiled, they can be freshened by folding, after shak- 
ing, and sprinkling all the folds thickly with mag- 



«88 Tin: coMri.i'/ri: iioMi: 

uesia. L<'1 tliis iciimiii lliicc or lour <lays and tlicii 
bnish out tliorouylily. Next rugs and carpets come 
out and are well s\vei)t on both sides, then liung on 
the line and beaten with a flail — one of two feet of 
rubber hose partially sli})ped over a round stick 
and split lengthwise into four parts, being the best 
— until no vestige of dust remains. Heavy carpets, 
Brussels, velvets, Wiltons, Axminsters, and Mo- 
quettes, need not be lifted oftener than every two 
or three years, unless the presence of moths about 
bindings, corners, or seams is detected, when they 
must come up at once. The ravage of moths can be 
prevented by drawing the tacks occasionally, turn- 
ing back the edge of the carpet half a yard or so, 
laying a cloth w^'ung out of hot water on the 
wrong side, and pressing with a very hot iron, hold- 
ing the iron on until the cloth is dry and then mov- 
ing on until all the edges are thoroughly steamed 
and dried. This will not injure the carpet and 
kills the eggs and larva?. Follow this up by wash- 
ing the floor with hot borax water, dry thoroughly, 
sprinkle with black pepper, and retack the carpet. 
Sometimes small pieces of cotton batting dipped 
in turpentine and slipped under the edges of the 
carpet will keep the moths away. If there are 
cracks at the juncture of baseboard and floor, pour 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 289 

in benzine and fill with plaster of Paris. Three-ply 
or ingrain carpets can be steamed and ironed with- 
out removing the tacks. 

CLEANING MATTINGS AND WOODWORK 

Mattings must be lifted, shaken, swept, wiped 
off with a cloth dampened in borax water, and left 
on the lawn to sun. No soap should be used on 
linoleum, and but little water. Clean by rubbing 
with a damp cloth till no soil comes off, and polish 
with a very little linseed oil. All upholstered fur- 
niture should be taken out, covered with a cloth, and 
thoroughly beaten with a rattan, shaking the cloth 
as it becomes dusty. Before rugs and carpets go 
down, walls, woodwork, and floors are cleaned. 
Walls, if painted, are washed with hot water con- 
taining a little kerosene, a square yard at a time, 
which is dried before moving on to the next area. 
Rubbing down with the inside of the crust of bread 
a day old will clean papered walls. Painted wood- 
work is best cleaned with whiting mixed to a thick 
cream with cold water, rubbed on with a cloth 
wrung out of hot water, following the grain of the 
wood. Wash off the whiting with a second cloth, 
rub dry, and polish with flannel. Painted walls 
may also be treated in this way, beginning at the 



290 Tiii: (o.MiM.i/n: iio.mk 

top and working down, li" soap is jiroferred, use 
the suds, rubbing the soap itself only on very much 
soiled spots. Kerosene in the water oln-iates the 
necessity for soap. Enameled paint requires only 
a cloth wrung out of hot water, followed by a rub- 
bing with a dry cloth. Avoid using water on hard- 
wood, boiled oil or turpentine and oil being best 
for woodwork and floors. Now is the time to scrub 
floors, if pine, with hot borax suds, and to rewax 
or varnish hardwood floors if they require it. 

CLEANING BEDS 

Beds come to pieces and go out of doors, where 
the slats are washed with carbolic-acid water, and 
springs and woodwork thoroughly brushed and 
sprinkled with corrosive sublimate and alcohol, if 
traces of bugs are found. If the beds are enam- 
eled, they are washed entire, with the exception of 
the brass trimmings, with hot water and ammonia, 
and wiped dry. Bedclothes, mattresses, and pil- 
lows are hung out and sunned, mattresses and pil- 
lows both beaten, and the fonuer carefully brushed, 
going into each tuft and crevice. Shades which 
have become soiled at the bottom can be reversed. 
House cleaning is not an unmixed joy, but if done 
systematically, one room at a time, it is soon ac- 



MACHINERY OF HOUSEKEEPING 291 

complished and becomes a part of that biography 
which all housekeeping is at last — a biography 
which should be written in characters of gold, its 
pages richly illumined with crosses, and palms, and 
laurels, and at its end a jeweled crown bearing the 
inscription : 

"She hath done what she couldn't!" 



CIIAPTKIJ XTV 

HIKED HELP 

THE difficulty of dealing with the subject of 
hired help is about as great as the dealing 
with the help herself, who is so often not 
a help at all. The appellation is the one insisted 
upon by the great unorganized union of the 
" household tramp," whose pride cannot endure the 
stigma implied in the name " servant," and who has 
never learned that we, in all walks of life, are more 
or less sei'vants — servants of Fame, or Ambition, 
or Duty, or Country, or Business. The maid who 
gave notice on the spot because she was introduced 
by the daughter of the house to her mother as 
" your new servant," seems to be the incarnation 
of that spirit of independence which is loosening 
the very foundations of our national structure. 
England has servants ; Gennany has serv-ants, but 
America has help. Let us then, like Agag of old, 
walk delicately, remembering that help, by any 
other name, is even more surrounded by thorns. 

292 



HIRED HELP 



THE GENERAL HOUSEMAID 

It is almost impossible to get a competent girl 
for general housework these days, and viewed in 
the light of past experiences with the able but un- 
willing, the willing but unable, the stupid, the dis- 
honest, the ignorant servant within our gates, with 
the very occasional good genius of the kitchen to 
leaven the lump of incompetency, we are sorely 
tempted to give up the struggle and do our own 
work, feeling that the time and strength so con- 
sumed are more than compensated for by the peace 
of mind which comes with the cessation of hostili- 
ties. But after a breathing spell we are generally 
ready for another joust, and the struggle goes on 
as of yore. Shops and factories have greatly re- 
duced the supply of servants, and of these so many 
specialize as cooks, waitresses, and nurses that we 
really have a very small choice when seeking an 
all-round maid — one who has some knowledge and 
experience of the different branches of housecraft. 
And right here we encounter another difficulty: 
ways of living and methods of household manage- 
ment are so diverse that a girl might be considered 
competent by one mistress and entirely the reverse 
by another. Our servants are more or less as we 

20 



294 Tin: coMri.i/i'i: home 

make them, and it is frequently the case that tlie 
mistress herself Deeds a course of instiniction 
before she is capable of rightly instructing her 
maid — a course which shall embrace not only 
housewifery, but the cultivation of self-command, 
patience, wisdom, consideration, and that power 
which comes only with knowledge. The raw for- 
eigner with whom she often has to deal is so en- 
tirely ignorant of life as we know it ; her training 
in field and peasant's cottage has in no way pre- 
I)ared her for the refined home with its dainty fur- 
nishings and food, and the difficulty of understand- 
ing and being understood adds to the perplexities 
of the slow and undeveloped mind. Such a servant 
is really nothing but a child, so far as her faculties 
are concerned, and should be treated as one until 
experience and training shall enable her to put 
away childish things. Like most children, she is 
an imitator; let it be our care that we set only a 
worthy example before her. She is quick to recog- 
nize inconsistency or unfairness, and to seize an 
opportunity to get the upper hand. Try to treat 
her with a firmness which is not arbitrary, and a 
kindness and consideration which are not famili- 
arity. Make her feel that she is an entity, a person 
of place and importance in making home comfort, 



HIRED HELP 295 

and a good bit of that subtle antagonism which 
seems to exist between mistress and maid will be 
gradually smoothed away. Don't wonder if she 
has the blues occasionally; you have them your- 
self. Don't be worried if she is a trifle slow; 
help her to systematize and so shorten her labors. 
If she cracks and breaks your dishes show her 
how to handle and care for them, with a timely 
word about avoiding undue haste. If she wants 
to do certain things in her own way, let her, pro- 
vided it is not a bad way, until you can prove 
to her that yours is better. You know there are 
other ways than yours — good ones, too. Study 
her as you would a refractory engine; if she runs 
off the track, or doesn't run at all, or has a hotbox 
or any other creature failing learn the cause and 
remedy it if you can. She is human, like yourself, 
and young too, probably, and needs diversion. 
Don't begrudge it to her when it is of the right kind. 
Like you, she needs rest occasionally, between 
whiles; make an opportunity for it. She needs 
good strengthening food ; see that she has it, and 
if she prefers plain living and high thinking on 
bread and tea, that's her own lookout. She proba- 
bly will have strong leanings toward the jam 
closet; lock the door and keep the key, and leave 



29G TIIK COM I'M /n: IIOMH 

no money, jewelry, or otlior valuables carelessly 
about to tempt her, i)erhaps beyond her strength. 
Don't be overniee in your exactions; if she is even 
a fairly good cook, waitress, and laundress, you 
are indeed blessed among women. Give judicious 
praise or kindly criticism where due ; sometimes a 
warning in time will save nine blunders. While 
she is under your roof and a member of your fam- 
ily you are in a measure responsible for her wel- 
fare, moral, spiritual, and physical, and are her 
natural and lawful protector. She may neither 
need nor want your protection, but let her feel that 
it is there, none the less. 

HOW TO SELECT A MAID 

And now, how shall we find this person to assist 
us in making domestic life " one grand, sweet 
song " — we hope ! The usual way is to apply to 
a reputable agency where you will find the better 
class of girls and be dealt with honestly. An 
agency of this kind usually keeps on file the refer- 
ences of girls offering themselves for sen-ice, 
which will give you at least some idea of the quali- 
fications of the maid you may engage. Many 
housekeepers advertise in the daily papers or 
trades journals, the advertisement being a concise 



HIRED HELP 297 

statement of the location, whether city or country, 
the kind of service expected, and the wages paid. 
A third and usually most satisfactory way of ob- 
taining help is through some friend, who can back 
her recommendation with a guarantee. Having en- 
tered your application, decide upon your plan of 
action in the interview which will take place when 
Dame Maid presents herself for the mutual in- 
spection — mutual because, though 'tis not hers to 
" reason why," she has a perfect right to know 
what awaits her. This cross-examination is some- 
what of an ordeal, especially to the novice in the 
servant-hiring business. It is essential for the 
housekeeper to know just what questions to put to 
the applicant, what questions to look for in return, 
what to tell her of the household regime and of her 
individual part in it; in short, she must know her 
ground and then stand on it — it is hardly necessary 
to add, with decision and dignity. The applicant's 
personal appearance tells something of what she 
is : if slovenly, her work would be ditto ; if flashy, 
with cheap finery and gew-gaws — ^well, she may be 
honest and reliable, but she may also make it diffi- 
cult for you to be mistress in your own house. Be a 
little wary of the middle-aged servant; if she is 
really desirable, she is not apt to be casting about 



i2i)H rili: (O.MTLF/l'K HOME 

lor a ])usiliuu, and besides, she is usually " sot" in 
her ways. The fact of a girl's looking sullen or 
morose should not militate against lier — slie may be 
only shy or embarrassed. If she is inii)ertinent — 
maybe her fonner mistress " talked back," or made 
too groat an equal of her. Anyway, be your own 
ladylike self and she will jjrobably fall in line. 
The quiet, steady-looking girl who evinces a will- 
ingness to leara is apt to be a safe investment. 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

Question her about her housework experience, 
her ability to do plain cooking and baking, make 
beds, serve, wash, and iron. She cannot possibly 
be an expert along each of these lines, perhaps not 
on one even, but a general working knowledge of 
all is veiy desirable. Have a complete understand- 
ing with her at the outset regarding her work, 
wages, hours of work and of leisure, and break- 
ages. Don't try to jjut the best foot forward, 
though there is no particular harm in pointing out 
the special advantages she would enjoy in your 
home, but give her a frank and honest statement 
of what she may expect. If she asks you, as she no 
doubt will, if you have much com]iany, say so, if 
you have, but add that you will relieve her as much 



HIRED HELP 299 

as you can of the extra work entailed. And don't 
resent her asking about the size of your family, and 
about her room, for she would naturally be in- 
terested in both. A complete understanding at 
every point may save considerable future trouble. 
The question of a uniform may come up during 
your talk. Some girls absolutely refuse to don 
anything which looks to them like a badge of servi- 
tude ; if this happens, let it go, because you know it 
is not an absolute essential. At the close of the 
conference ask for references. No mistress is 
obliged to give a reference to her departing serv- 
ant, but if she does so it ought, in all conscience, to 
be an honest one. It is a deplorable fact that many 
housekeepers, either in a desire to be magnani- 
mous, or to avoid a scene or annoyance, give utterly 
undeserved recommendations, thus opening the 
way for other reigns of terror which a little per- 
sonal application of do-as-you-would-be-done-by 
could have prevented. Investigate these refer- 
ences, either in person or by letter; otherwise you 
may discover later on that they were forged by the 
girl herself or by some of her accommodating 
friends. 



300 TiiK (o.MrLi'/ri: iio.mi: 

AGREEMENTS 

Tlio tfrni of service is determined l)y an agree- 
ment between mistress and maid. The usual cus- 
tom is to take the api)licant for a week's trial ; if, 
at the expiration of that time, both are satisfied, 
the arrangement continues from week to week, if 
the payments are weekly. In households in which 
monthly payments are preferred the maid is hired 
by the month. The agreement entered into is noth- 
ing more nor less than a legal contract, and not to 
be lightly violated. When serving by the week the 
maid is entitled to, and must also give, three days' 
notice; when by the month a week's notice is re- 
quired, or if for any reason her mistress wishes 
her to leave at once, she may pay her one week's 
wages. If the maid leaves suddenly and without 
giving notice, in the middle of her term, she forfeits 
all claim to wages which have accrued since her 
last pajTnent. If discharged unjustly and without 
sufficient cause before the expiration of her term, 
she is entitled to her wages in full ; but if dis- 
charged without notice because of intoxication, im- 
morality, dishonesty, arrant disobedience, or per- 
manent incapacity from illness, she can claim 
nothing. It is customary with some housekeepers 



HIRED HELP 301 

to start the new maid on a comparatively low sal- 
ary, with the promise of an increase of perhaps 
fifty cents per month, in case she proves herself 
worthy, till the maximum is reached. This is often 
an incentive to good service. 

- THE MAID'S LEISURE TIME 

Her times of leisure vary somewhat, according 
to circumstances; but one week-day afternoon and 
evening, and Sunday afternoon and evening of 
each week are usually allowed her, though she may 
be given only every other Sunday. If an extra 
evening can be given her, all well and good. The 
maid should be able to count on getting away at a 
certain hour so she can arrange to meet her 
friends; and she must also understand that ten 
o'clock is to see her in the house, that hour being 
as late as any girl ought to be out. In homes which 
employ two maids equal privileges are granted 
each, one assuming the work of the other during 
her absence. It is a simple matter to arrange for 
light meals on the cook's day out, and to minimize 
the serving when the waitress is to be away. When 
night dinner is the custom and but one maid em- 
ployed, she either goes from ten until four, leav- 
ing her mistress to prepare luncheon, or else, if 



■MY2 Tin: ("o.MrLirri: iio.mi: 

she Is away over the dinner hour, the meals are 
shifted, with dinner at noon and t^a at night. She 
leaves on Sunday immediately after the dinner 
work is done and does not return to prepare tea. 
If she prefers to spend her leisure time quietly at 
home reading or sewing, she should be encouraged 
to do so and not be forced to go out in self-defense 
to escape calls for extra work at that time. The 
mistress has no claim on her maid's " off " hours. 

DRESS AND PERSONAL NEATNESS 

The maid's uniform consists of three print 
gowns, with a gingham apron for morning wear, 
and for afternoons a white apron with white col- 
lar or kerchief and cuffs, cap, or whatever addi- 
tional touches her mistress may prefer. The maid 
usually buys her own gowns, while her mistress 
provides the accessories, which remain her prop- 
erty when the maid leaves. The afternoon dress of 
one week becomes the morning dress of the follow- 
ing. Black is frequently adopted for afternoon 
wear, but whatever the dress, insist upon its being 
washable; woolens absorb odors and perspiration 
and in time make not only her person but her room 
offensive. Issue an edict against frowzy pompa- 
dours and " frizzes," pointing out the necessity for 



HIRED HELP 303 

having smooth, neat hair, particularly in the 
kitchen. Eequire her to bathe regularly. The 
question of allowing the maid to use the bathroom 
must be settled individually. If she is careful 
about cleaning the tub and leaving things in good 
order, there seems to be no reason why she, who so 
needs them, should be deprived of advantages for 
cleanliness which the rest of us enjoy. " Standing 
on one foot in a slippery washbowl," footbath, or 
even larger tub, is a poor substitute. Instruct her 
about arranging her clothing at night so it will air. 
You may even find, if she is a just-over foreigner, 
that you will have to introduce her to the night- 
dress — such things have happened — explaining to 
her the undesirability of sleeping in underclothing 
which she has worn all day. 

CARELESSNESS 

If a girl is habitually careless about handling 
the dishes, and breaks, nicks, and cracks result, 
hold her responsible and deduct from her wages 
what you consider a fair equivalent for the loss. 
Such a course is astonishingly curative sometimes. 
The painstaking, careful girl seldom injures any- 
thing, and the occasional accident may be over- 
looked. Before your new maid arrives write out 



MH Tin: co.Mri.i/ri: iiomi: 

an iteniizod list of nil crockery, silver, glass, and 
table linen Nvliich arc to be in constant use, designat- 
ing those •which are defaced in any way, and go 
over it with her every week, holding her respon- 
sible for any damaged or missing articles. 

THE MAID'S ROOM 

Remove from the sei'^^ant's room all traces of 
its last occupant, and put it in order for the new 
maid, with the bed freshly made up with clean 
blankets, linen, and spread. The room should be 
comfortably furnished with a single enameled bed 
— the plainer the better and more easily cleaned — 
an inexpensive dresser and washstand, the bowl, 
pitcher, etc., for the latter preferably of the white 
porcelain enamel ware, a comfortable high-backed 
rocker, and one common cane-seated chair. A pair 
of plain white muslin or scrim curtains draped 
back with a band of the same, and plain white cov- 
ers on washstand and dresser impart a certain 
air of dainty hominess. A cheap set of hanging 
shelves for books and clock would be a welcome ad- 
dition. Walls and floor should be painted, and a 
colonial rug placed before the bed. Don't give the 
servant's room the look of a perpetual rummage 
sale by making it a dumping ground for old de- 



HIRED HELP 305 

faced pictures, furniture, and bric-a-brac. Re- 
member that it is her only haven of rest, and have 
it restful, if only for selfish reasons, for renewed 
bodily vigor means well-done work and a made- 
over disposition. When we think of the average 
servant's room, small, stuffy, poorly ventilated, 
hot in summer, cold in winter, and unattractive to 
a degree, it ought to bring a blush of shame. 
Above all, see that the bed is comfortable ; for who 
can blame a tired girl for getting out on the "wrong 
side " of a bed so hard and lumpy that it surely 
must rise and smite her ! Place on the woven wire 
spring a good mattress either all cotton, or of straw 
with cotton top and bottom. Over this spread one 
of the washable pads which come for the purpose, 
then the sheets — unbleached if one prefers — the 
inexpensive colored blankets, and a honeycomb 
spread. One feather pillow of average size will be 
sufficient. When two servants occupy a room two 
single beds should be provided. If there is no 
closet, make a temporary one by means of a shelf 
and curtain. An attractive room carries with it a 
subtle and refining influence. 



306 'I'lii': coMrLi/n: iio.mk 

HOW TO TRAIN A MAID 

" Set thine bouse in order," and have every- 
thing — pantry and kitclien in particular — as you 
expect your maid to keep it. First imijressions are 
truly the most lasting, and if she comes into a lit- 
tered, soiled, untidy kingdom, you may expect her 
reign to be proportionally lax and her resi)eot for 
your housekeeping abilities conspicuously absent. 
This is a bad beginning, and then it is not exactly 
fair to set her to work the very first thing to bring 
order from chaos. See that she has all the tools 
necessary to her work, replacing broken or useless 
utensils and assuring yourself that the cutlery and 
crockery for her individual table use are whole and 
inviting. Show the maid to her room as soon as 
she arrives, with instructions to don her working 
garb; and then begins the induction into office, a 
trying experience to you both, and one which 
should be sufficiently prolonged to enable her to get 
a good grip of each new duty as it presents itself. 
Avoid confusing her at the start with a jumble of 
instructions, but make haste slowly, giving direc- 
tions in a way which she can understand. Intro- 
duce her into her workroom, explain the range 
and show her how to operate it, point out the dif- 



HIRED HELP 307 

ferent utensils and their uses and where foods are 
kept. If she comes in the morning, her first duty 
will be the preparation of luncheon; give her in- 
structions for that meal, what to have, and how to 
set the table, this being the proper time to go over 
the list of table furnishings with her. Don't em- 
barrass her by being continually at her heels, but 
give what directions you think necessary and then 
let her apply her judgment and previous experi- 
ence to carrying them out. If you find that she has 
neither, don't be discouraged, for you may be en- 
tertaining an angel unawares, but adopt the line 
upon line, precept upon precept plan, and the situa- 
tion will slowly but surely brighten. If she is over- 
stupid in one direction, she may be bright enough 
in some other to establish a balance. Luncheon 
and its dishes disposed of, arrange with her about 
dinner, and after its completion speak about her 
hour of rising, the preparation of breakfast, etc. 
And the morning and the evening were the first 
day! 

THE DAILY ROUTINE 

The day's routine of work varies in different 
households and makes it impossible for one to offer 
an infallible system. The keeping of but one serv- 



'M)H Tin: co.Mi'Li/ii: iio.Mi: 

i\i\\ does not admit ol' an elaborate mode of living, 
and on the days on which the heaviest work — • 
washing and ironing — falls, madam would do well 
to assume considerable of the regular work herself, 
the care of bedrooms, dusting and putting to 
rights of living and dining rooms, preparation of 
lunch, and whatever else seems best. All of the 
hardest work should be done in the morning, before 
the first freshness of maid and day is worn away. 
After you have established a satisfactory schedule 
abide by it and oblige your maid to do the same. 
It soon becomes automatic and is, therefore, accom- 
plished with less exhaustion of mind and body. 
The regular day's work is about as follows: The 
maid rises an hour or an hour and a half before 
the breakfast hour, throws open her bed and win- 
dow, and goes to the kitchen, where she starts the 
nre (if a coal range is used), fills and puts on the 
teakettle, and puts the cereal on to cook. " Then 
she airs out dining and living rooms and hall, 
brushes up any litter, wipes off bare floors, dusts, 
closes windows, opens furnace drafts or looks 
after stoves, and, leaving tidiness in her wake, sets 
the table and completes the preparations for 
breakfast. The amount of work she can accom- 
plish before it is served depends upon herself and 



HIRED HELP 309 

upon how elaborate the meal may be. After the 
main part of the breakfast has been served she may 
be excused from the dining room, and takes this 
time to open bedroom windows and empty slops, 
after which she has her own breakfast. When the 
breakfast table has been cleared, the dining room 
set to rights, food taken care of, and utensils put to 
soak, the mistress inspects pantry and refrigerator, 
offers suggestions for the disposal of left-overs, 
arranges with the maid for the day's meals, and 
makes out the list for grocer and butcher, adding 
whatever she thinks best to the list of needed sta- 
ples already prepared by the maid — tea, sugar, 
soap, etc. Never leave the entire ordering of sup- 
plies to the maid, her part being simply to jot down 
on a pad hung in the kitchen for that purpose a 
memorandum of such things as need replenishing. 
When the conference is ended the maid washes the 
dishes, puts kitchen and pantiy in order, fills and 
cleans lamps, prepares dishes which require slow 
cooking, makes the beds — unless her mistress pre- 
fers to do this herself — and tidies up bed- and bath- 
rooms. If the living rooms were not dusted before 
breakfast, she attends to it now, perhaps sweeping 
front porch and steps, and is then ready for the 
extra work of the day, the cleaning of silver, wash- 

21 



310 THE COMPLETE HOME 

ing of windows, etc. When the aller-lunch work 
is disposed of she will probably have an hour or 
two to herself before it is time to begin prepara- 
tions for dinner. She should not be interrupted in 
her work for this, that, or the other, but allowed 
to go on with it according to schedule. 

She usually attends the door except on wash 
day or during extra stress of work. She will, 
perhaps, object to doing so when her mistress is at 
home, and may need instruction about slipping on 
a clean white apron, greeting a caller with civility, 
presenting a small tray for her card, etc. Initiat- 
ing her into the mysteries of setting and serving 
the table may be a long operation, for the good 
waitress is usually born, not made. But don't be 
too exacting ; remember that she is not a specialist 
and arrange the flowers and add other nice touches 
yourself, and dispense with elaborateness of serv- 
ing. Teach her to economize time by washing 
dishes between courses when her presence is not 
required in the dining room, and insist upon hav- 
ing meals served at stated hours, being careful that 
your family respond to the summons to the table 
with corresponding lumctuality. 



HIRED HELP 311 

DUTIES OF COOK AND NURSE 

Each, additional servant complicates tlie plan- 
ning of the work. When there are two they are 
usually cook and waitress, the former having entire 
charge of her own special domain, the kitchen, with 
all that pertains to it, except, perhaps, the prepara- 
tion of salads and the washing of glass, silver, and 
fine dishes. She does the heavier part of the laun- 
dry work and some part of the sweeping, washes 
windows, takes charge of cellar and pantry, or does 
such other work as her mistress designates, each 
duty being plainly specified at the time she is hired. 
The tasks of the waitress are more varied. The 
airing, brushing up, and dusting of the living rooms 
falls to her share, with the entire charge of the 
dining room, serving the table, and washing the 
dishes, glass, and silver. She also has charge of 
the bedrooms, a part of her duties in that connec- 
tion being to prepare them for the night, removing 
spreads and shams, turning down covers, closing 
blinds, and carrying to each room iced water the 
last thing before retiring, and hot water the first 
thing in the morning. She attends the door, cleans 
silver, wipes off woodwork, and even helps with 
the mending when the family is small. She usually 



■>\'2 Till: coMPTj-rn-: iio.mi: 

(Iocs lior own washing, and assists with the ironing 
if li( r mistress so decree. The division of laljor 
between cook and waitress is sometimes a delicate 
matter, and here more tlian ever is adlierence to 
rule and routine imperative. The tendency for one 
servant to override the other and more yielding, 
must be guarded against. When a nurse is to be 
hired she should be questioned as to her experience 
in caring for children, and her cleanliness, honesty, 
truthfulness, morals, and general character care- 
fully investigated. She ought to be fond of chil- 
dren, and young-hearted enough to enter into their 
little games and joys and sorrows. No maid 
whose example is demoralizing to the little ones 
should have any place in the home. The nurse 
probably will do the baby's washing, and may 
help a little here and there about the house, but 
as a rule she has nothing to do with the general 
work. 

SERVANTS COMPANY 

The vexed question of the *' lady help's gentle- 
man company " usually has to be faced by the 
housekeeper. Since yours is your maid's only 
home it is better to allow her to receive her friends 
there than for her to seek them elsewhere, taking 



HIRED HELP 3lS 

it for granted, of course, that any girl whom you 
would be willing to have in your family would 
have no objectionable friends. And besides, she is 
somebody's daughter, you know. It is to be hoped 
that the time will come when every maid can be 
provided with a sitting room of her own, but until 
then her friends will have to be received in your 
kitchen. Let her feel that they are welcome out of 
working hours. A servant of the right kind will 
appreciate and not abuse this privilege. 

And so on — and so on! After all is said and 
done one can only give a few hints and suggestions 
on the servant question, with the wistful hope that 
they may help some one to " start right," for maids 
may come and maids may go, but the problem goes 
marching on. The only way to do when it over- 
takes one is to grapple with it womanfully, for it 
will happen, even in the best regulated families. 

(1) 

THE EISTD 



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D. A P P L E T O N AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. 



NOV 16 1906 




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